One of the most important steps in applying to college is figuring out which ones you're going to apply to (go figure). I haven't made up an official list of colleges I'm applying to yet, but I do know what I'm interested in. My views have gone through a long evolution, and if you look at the past three years, I've ...

With most of the country covered in snow, your college search may have taken a turn. If you’re a fair-weather kind of student, you should consider some of the hottest college campuses in the country…literally. These colleges aren’t just a draw for their warm weather either. Some are hot spots for brainiacs and others bring in a big crowd because of ...

Choosing a college is stressful and making sure you make the right decision can often feel like a daunting task. To help out with the process, here are some common mistakes to avoid along the way: [gate] 1. Rushing the process. Finding the right college takes time and effort, not to mention research and an often lengthy application process. Waiting until ...

While not as attention-getting as academic quality or price tag, the size and location of a college have a big impact on your college experience. Take time to evaluate the pros and cons. Large Schools vs. Small Schools One size doesn’t fit all. Don’t expect college life at a school of 50,000 to be the same as life at a campus ...

Sometimes traveling halfway across the country to check out all the campuses on your college list isn't possible. You can still learn your way around the quad and see what dorm rooms really look like with online college tours. in Ithaca, New York, offers slide shows, video tours, audio clips and commentaries from students on topics ranging from academics to social ...

When it comes to selecting and getting into a college, guidance counselors are invaluable. But they can't help you unless they know what you're looking for. Help them give the guidance you need by following these tips from counselors across the country. Visit early and often. Get to know your counselor during your freshman year. Check back with them at least ...

Your students may have already begun to approach you in a panic. They’ve looked all over the Internet and in local newspapers for summer internship and job opportunities, but the economy has left little to no choices for high school students. How will this look on their college applications? While they may not have work for the summer, there are plenty ...

Key West. Myrtle Beach. Yosemite National Park. A college admissions office. Maybe that last one isn't a top vacation destination but it's worth a visit. Just as you wouldn't waste precious vacation minutes sitting in a hotel room figuring out what attractions are in the area, some planning before you head for campus will help you maximize your visit. Pick Up ...

The campus tour – your time for Q&A, to learn everything you have ever wanted to know from an insider that actually attends the college you’re thinking about. Keep in mind that this isn't an interview. They aren't deciding your fate; it’s really for your benefit. The tour is to see if you can actually see yourself living and learning on ...

I'll never forget the feeling I got as I walked onto Hofstra's campus. It felt like a match made in heaven. Before visiting Hofstra, I had originally wanted to attend Syracuse University. I had considered Syracuse for its journalism program, and learned about it through a writer who I had shadowed at my town's local newspaper. Syracuse looked great on paper-even ...

You've thumbed through the glossy brochures and visited the Web sites. But beyond the pictures, what's life on a college campus really like? The best way to get the inside scoop is to go offline and take a campus tour. After all, there's nothing virtual about your college choice. Scheduling Your Trip Pick a normal school day when the regular flow ...

It can be difficult to stay on track during the lengthy college application and admissions process. Now, more than ever, it’s important to focus on your future and think about what you’d like in a college, despite where others would like for you to go. Remember, it’s ultimately your decision and your life! According to The New York Times, here is ...

College tours provide a great opportunity for you to visit campus and learn more about what a college has to offer. However, tour guides are told to stick with talking points and established routes to pass through the nicest parts of campus. To become an astute prospective student, you’re going to have to investigate off the beaten path. Here are ...

Spring is a great time for high school juniors to visit college campuses. Here are some “Dos & Don’ts” that students and their parents need to know before visiting universities. 1. *Do visit campuses during your Junior year, but don’t miss any classes*. Holidays, spring break and weekends are a perfect time to plan those college road trips. Before you leave, ...

Summer college visits are just plain easy for a variety of reasons. There is more time for you to explore a variety of campuses, including those that are far from home. You don’t have to worry about missing a day or two of classes just to find your perfect college match. And vacation plans might allow you to visit campuses that ...

Ah yes, the college admissions process can be considered a full-time job in itself. Between the deadlines, filling out the applications and deciding which school to go to — not to mention taking the SATs – prepping for college can be overwhelming to say the least. Surviving college is one thing. Surviving the college admissions and application process is a whole other ballgame. CampusCompare’s ...

Questions are like itches. You know you aren’t supposed to scratch, but sometimes you just ... gotta. One question that should remain tickly and untouched is the one everyone’s always asking: “So, what’s it like being a fourth year?” I’ll tell you. It’s dreadful. To be a senior in high school is to gaze at your future with bright eyes, ...

Is Virginia really for lovers? Yes, if they are lovers of knowledge. Teeming with campus folklore, arresting landscape and warm hospitality, Virginia has left its mark on higher education in the United States. A place of passionate tradition and enormous history, Virginia is perfect for the intellectually and socially attentive. The commonwealth is designed for students, so long as they are ...

While many students believe there’s a college out there that is absolutely perfectly suited to their needs, the truth is, that’s unlikely. Although it's true that some colleges may be better suited than others, you will likely be happy at several different colleges. As long as you get a wonderful education in the meantime, you likely won’t have many complaints about ...

Let's be honest, most college tours are standardized. The tour guides, though students, are most likely employed by the admissions department at the college and therefore are given instructions on what to do and say on the tours. While the information on tours is helpful, there is so much more to know about a school, especially if you’re seriously thinking about ...