• How to choose which colleges to apply to?

    There are over 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States. How to choose where to apply? 

     

    Ask yourself these questions first: 

    • Which college attributes/characteristics would make a good fit for me? 

      • (Size; location/rural/urban; programs of study/majors, social life; academic rigor; extracurriculars, athletics)

      • What's the difference between Community Colleges, State Universities and Private Liberal Arts Colleges? See below! 

    • What skills, experiences and perspectives can I bring that a college might be looking for?

      • (Skills; academic strengths; gender/cultural/religious/geographic, etc, perspectives, athletics, artistic talent........)

    • Consider Financial Fit

      • Have conversations with parents/guardians about debt, potential out-of-pocket costs and what is realistically affordable. 
      • Apply to your Target and Reach èßäÊÓƵs regardless of the college's sticker price. Students will receive financial aid offers in March/April and will then learn what their actual out-of-pocket costs will be. 
      • Revisit conversations about financial fit with parents/guardians in April/May after financial aid offers (including many schoalrships) have been awarded. 

     

    Start your search here: 

    Step 1: Search a college Search Tool that includes filters for:

    • Majors
    • Academic rigor
    • Gender
    • Sports
    • Greek life
    • Access to the arts
    • Religion
    • Size
    • Location
    • Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities,
    • And more!

    Step 2: Check out the data on theThe College Scorecard - Shows the average student debt and median income (4 years after graduation) for different majors and for colleges. 

    Step 3: Search the . An “endowment” is essentially how much money a college has in the bank. Generally speaking, the higher the endowment, the greater the aid. Consider applying to a few colleges with high endowments. Many are highly selective - but others on this list are more accessible. 

     

    Create your list, depending on what you might want to study. It should include: 

    • 1-2 Safety èßäÊÓƵs - that are BOTH academic AND financial safety èßäÊÓƵs (PCC, MHCC and/or PSU should be on everyone's list)

      • For many èßäÊÓƵ, Community College might be their first choice, best fit and the only èßäÊÓƵ they apply to because of programs offered, financial fit, family reasons, apprenticeship training, or GPA. 

    • 1-4 Target èßäÊÓƵs - èßäÊÓƵs that you would be happy attending and that you are fairly certain you will get accepted to. 

    • 1-4 Reach èßäÊÓƵs that might be more challenging to get accepted to. 

  • Senior Timeline for 4-year college-bound èßäÊÓƵ

    • July the  and open. Time to start filling out your college applications!

    • September - July Apply for scholarships. Approach this like a job. Check every week. 

    • September Polish your common app essay; Choose your colleges

    • October Apply for . Work on college applications. 

    • November Consider applying early decision 

    • December Apply for and

    • January Regular decision deadline

    • April Review financial aid offers

    • May Commit to your èßäÊÓƵ

    • May-June Check college email daily, complete new student checklist

  • Senior Timeline for Community College Bound & Apprenticeship Students

    • September - July Apply for scholarships. Check every week. 

    • October Apply for  or the

    • November Apply to and/or   

    • December Apply for and

    • March Apply for PCC's and PCC Foundation Scholarship

    • May-June Check your email daily, work through PCC’s new student checklist, and/or apply for apprenticeships.

  • COMMUNITY COLLEGE

    First 2 Years of the BA/BS Degree or CTE Programs


    • Cheapest – tuition & fees $5500/year. State funded.
    • Live at home or apartment. Campus life is limited.
    • Transfer degree = first two years at university – just as rigorous as 4-year university (often even more rigorous)
    • Many CTE programs (nursing, automechanics, Technical theater, Veterinary techs, pre-apprenticeship programs, etc. )
    • Professors, not assistants, teach small classes
    • Professors focus on teaching, not on research or publishing

  • STATE UNIVERSITIES

    4 Year BA & BS degrees + Graduate Degrees

    • More expensive, state-funded. Tuition & fees at UO $15,000/year. Plus dorms – an
    additional $13,000 ($28,000 total).
    • Strong campus life
    • State-of-the-art research facilities. Large research grants.
    • Larger freshmen classes – can be up to 300 èßäÊÓƵ. Often taught by Teaching Assistants, not actual professors.
    • Well-funded sports programs

  • PRIVATE LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

    4 years: BA or BS degrees

    • Most expensive. Funded by tuition and private donations. Tuition, fees, room & board at
    Reed = $78,000. (Very few people actually pay the sticker price). 
    • Very small class sizes, taught by professors, not assistants.
    • Lots of feedback from professors. Students often work on smaller research projects with professors.
    • Fewer majors than larger universities, but èßäÊÓƵ can often create their own major.
    • Excellent advising. Students know advisers well.
    • Campus/community life usually very strong.