1. Never make a final college choice without visiting at least the three or four colleges you like best. Regardless of how well you've investigated the colleges to which you applied, there is no substitute for a visit. Very often, students pick up critical information...sometimes good, sometimes bad...on a visit. And, bring your family with you if possible...nobody knows you better, so their observations and thoughts might be very helpful to you.

2. There are no exceptions to rule #1.

3. Don't make the common mistake of thinking that the colleges you have heard the most about are the best colleges (or the best colleges for you). Often, the colleges students hear the most about are those closest to their homes and/or those whose athletic teams appear on television regularly.

4. Take the time to identify and check out three or more colleges unfamiliar to you which would seem likely to admit you, offer the major(s) in which you are interested, and are located in areas in which you would like to spend four years. With any luck, you'll discover some great new options.

5. There is only one thing dumber than selecting a college because your friends are headed there. It's choosing a college or university because your girlfriend or boyfriend is headed there.

6. You are sure to hear people make generalizations about colleges. Many are baseless. Be careful not to be unduly influenced by people who say a college is a "good school", a "party school", a "jock school", etc. Investigate and judge for yourself.

7. Do not rule out colleges early because of cost. Many colleges offer scholarships, financial aid, and tuition installment plans that make them far more affordable than they may first appear. You can't/won't know how much it will cost to attend a college until the very end of the process.

8. You may have to contend with ACT deadlines, SAT deadlines, scholarship deadlines, financial aid deadlines, and college application deadlines. Close your eyes for thirty seconds and imagine how stupid you will feel if you fail to get into a college or get money for which you qualify because you miss a deadline. Then, to avoid feeling stupid, write down all operative deadlines and check them often.

9. Apply to three categories of colleges; "reach" colleges, "probable" colleges, and "safe" colleges. Reach or "stretch" colleges are colleges you like but may well be denied admission to. You might just be pleasantly surprised is you take a chance on a few reach schools. Probables are colleges which admit most students with your profile. My recommendation is that you apply to at least three probables to ensure yourself good options when it's time to make your final decision. Lastly, find and apply to two safe colleges where your chances of admission are close to 100% and where you believe you would be happy. Remember, if you do a good job picking safe schools you'll be immune to disappointment, so take time to do a good job.

10. With a little luck, you'll get into several colleges you like. Although that may make your final decision a bit difficult, can you think of a better problem to have? At this final and critical point, ask for input from those who know you best and whose judgement you most trust. Then, make your final college selection and don't second guess yourself. Realize that the steps you took getting to this point almost assure that you have made a good choice and that the next four years of your life will be a great adventure.