The following list is not meant to be exhaustive, but it will give you some idea of the kinds of information you might use to compare different schools. No matter where you decide to attend college, the quality of the academic program should be your primary consideration. All types of institutions are capable of offering solid academic programs, but some may be more suited to your particular needs and wants. You should judge the academic quality of an institution in terms of what it can do for you. Once you've begun to get some idea of the type of college or university you'd like to attend, your first concern may be what it takes to get admitted.
Colleges vary greatly in terms of admission selectivity.
Keep in mind that most institutions accept students with a range of backgrounds and abilities. A number of factors are taken into account in admission decisions, so don't necessarily rule out applying if you don't meet the average on all criteria. Still, by making a realistic assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses you can begin to make some judgments about your chances for being a successful candidate. Consulting closely with your guidance counselor can be very helpful in this process-as your counselor often knows what certain colleges are looking for. Also, by visiting a college campus, you can learn directly from an admissions officer what type of student is typically accepted.