Finding a College That is "Right" For You

Be aware there is much redundancy of info on these sites, a fact of life on the Internet. As a practicing high school counselor, I have tried to highlight the particular qualities which make each site unique. If you don't know where to start, don't worry-pick one and enjoy exploring.

Baptist Colleges
Links to selected colleges affiliated with the Baptist faith. 
Baptist Colleges and Universities - Southern
Links to financial resources at selected colleges affiliated with the Baptist faith.
Best 361 Colleges, The (Princeton Review)
Ignore the word "best" and just look at the student perspectives and other data about these 357 colleges. Hint: don't pick your dream school based solely on this info.
BestCollegePicks.com
User friendly site which focuses on what YOU want in a college. Select a college based on your goals and values. The site is attempting to be more personalized than everyone else's site. Try it, you'll like it.
Black College Search
Free online resource for prospective African American students. Information on black colleges, scholarships, financial aid and more.
Campus Safety
Offers campus crime statistics-interesting insights for students and parents.
Campus Security Statistics
Direct link to reported criminal offenses for over 6,000 colleges and universities in the US.
Catholic Colleges and Universities
Listing of over 200 schools, mostly in the US and Canada, some in other countries. Excellent starting point if you are looking for schools affiliated with the Catholic faith.
ChristianColleges.com
Good place to start if you want to know more about several hundred Christian schools.
College Bound
Peterson's site has a quick link to searching for colleges by GPA, location, major, and several other criteria. I like the detailed major options - this could help if you are unclear. Includes Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.
CollegeNet
User friendly search engine, this site has a customized application process for 1500 schools where common data travels from form to form.
Colleges of Distinction
Highly researched list of schools which engage students, offer great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes.
College Planning Center
Uncluttered comprehensive site by Iowa's student financial aid organization. I like its concise calendars for planning your junior and senior college application activities. Quick references for colleges in this state.
Colleges and Universities - U.S. by State
Links to home pages of schools across the nation. If you look at only one link in this category, this should be it. 
Colleges That Build Character
Excellent summary of 405 exemplary colleges that "inspire students to lead ethical and civic minded lives". Worth a look on how the schools were evaluated. These items are what make a quality education. Of particular interest is the listing of schools which pay attention to helping students adjust to the personal freedom and responsibilities they experience during the first year of being away from home. The authors regularly list what they consider to be the top 100 colleges based on their criteria...if nothing else, this site gets you to thinking about what do you really want in a college.
Colleges That Change Lives
Based on Loren Pope's groundbreaking work, check out the link on 20 myths that can jinx your college selection. If you look at only one link on this website, this better be it!
College View (Hobsons)
College search, online virtual tours, financial aid info. I really like the feel of the college search criteria and the ease of navigation!
CollegeinColorado
Excellent search options from one location, find info about professors.
Community Colleges - U.S. by State
Links to community college home pages nationwide. Students with disappointing GPAs need to strongly consider starting at a Community College. It's not where you start, it's where you finish. Includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, and Puerto Rico.
Culinary Schools
Peterson's listing of major culinary schools worldwide. After exploring these schools, I guarantee you will be starving!
Disability Friendly Colleges
Good starting point for families seeking colleges with these special services.
FastWEB.com
FastWeb has search capabilities and access to 700 online college applications. 
Fiske Guide
Fiske's highly popular guide to 300 schools has an interesting self-help quiz aimed at finding where you belong. 
Greenes' Guides
Authors of the popular guides such as Hidden Ivies and Public Ivies share more of their wisdom with articles and additional links.
Guide for Parents: Send Your Child to College
No frills site compiled by a New York librarian. Has a few links not listed here. Primary audience is parents. 
Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges
Ranking of 100 US institutions that offer academic excellence at an affordable price. Click "All in one table (easier to compare schools)" to see the entire list. 
Law Schools
American Bar Association site with links to all 185 law schools in the US.
Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
Links to 10 schools in the Concordia university system. Also has updates on major Lutheran college fairs. 
Lutheran Colleges
Focuses on Lutheran affiliated schools. Many good links.
Medical Schools in US
Links to major US medical schools. It might not hurt to check out what is really needed to get admitted to medical school today. 
Military Colleges and Schools
Small collection of military related schools.
Mother Jones' Top Activist Campuses
Mother Jones magazine recently unveiled its latest survey of student activism on college campuses nationwide.  
Philadelphia, Find Colleges in and Around
Excellent search tool if you want to look at all of the colleges in the Philadelphia region. 
Presbyterian Colleges and Universities
Focuses on the Presbyterian affiliated schools across the United States. Excellent starting point.
Princeton Review College Search Engine
This search engine allows you to enter your preferences as well as your academic history; the wide range of suggested schools can be very helpful as you begin exploring your options.
United Methodist Education Information
Scholarships and college info source related to the United Methodist religion.
 

Last Update March 13, 2006 - Copyright Frieda Dietrich, Carpedm 2000
If you find a broken link, please email me. Frieda Dietrich

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