But some schools make aid more available than others. Private schools tend to charge more for tuition and other expenses, but they tend to offer more financial aid, too. Get in touch with the financial aid office at your choices and inquire how they can help you. If your scores aren't quite high enough, you might have to showcase your other attributes to the admissions officers to get accepted. Sometimes you get a good feel for the campus and the people by visiting the place in person.
Many schools offer open houses and campus visits over a weekend.
Nobody knows as much about a school as students who are currently enrolled and alumni who have graduated. The students will tell you about campus life and academics now. The alumni will tell you how a degree from this institution fulfilled their educational expectations and how this degree helped them in their careers. For more information about choosing a college in New York, visit New York Mentor or The College Board's College Search .