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Before you decide
Over 20,000 selectors
SelectSmart.com Which College Is Right For Me?
The question is high on the list of important life decisions. This selector provides recommendations from a list of 200 distinguished colleges and universities. Answer the questions below for a list of recommendations and information about the schools that best match your preferences. For greater accuracy, place "high" importance on one or two issues that matter most to you.
1. MONEY Choosing your college is major financial decision. If you are a careful shopper, you can get a better deal.
I prefer colleges that have been identified by US News and World Report as giving students the best value.
I prefer colleges that are free to apply to. Source & Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



2. PETS Going off to school can be a lonely experience.
Check here if you want to give added weight to schools that allow pets. Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



3. POLITICAL ATTITUDE What sort of attitude (according to the Princeton Review) do you prefer to be prevalent on campus?
“Birkenstock-Wearing, Tree Hugging, Clove-Smoking Vegetarians” where the students' personal political persuasions are very liberal, low levels of popularity for student government on campus; and a student body that is not very religious.
“Future Rotarians and Daughters of the American Revolution” where the students' personal political persuasions are very conservative, high levels of popularity for student government on campus, and a very religious student body.
No preference. Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



4. GAYS According the publication the Advocate, some schools are notably GLBT friendly. Is that an important consideration for you?
Yes, I'd prefer a college that welcomes the gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender community. Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



5. DIVERSITY What about racial and ethnic diversity?
Yes, I prefer multiculturalism. Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



6. BLACK COLLEGES Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the US that were established before 1964 to serve the black community.
I'd prefer an HBCU. Source Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



7. GENDER Most colleges are co-ed today. There are a small number of all women's colleges and even fewer all men's colleges.
Men's colleges preferred.
Women's colleges preferred.
Co-ed colleges preferred.
No preference.
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



8. TO PARTY OR NOT TO PARTY According to the Princeton Review and Playboy magazine some schools have a reputation for heavy alcohol and drug use or a general culture of licentiousness. Some schools are noted for their sobriety and rectitude. What's more your style?
A "Party School" with low personal daily study hours (outside of class), high usages of alcohol and drugs on campus, and high popularity on campus for frats/sororities.
A "Stone-Cold Sober School" with high personal daily study hours (outside of class), low usages of alcohol and drugs on campus, and low popularity on campus for frats/sororities
No preference. Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



9. LEARNING DISABILITIES Almost all colleges and universities provide services and/or accommodations for learning disabled students, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Would you prefer those that go a step further...they offer programs, some quite comprehensive, designed to support students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities?
Yes, I'd like a school that offer that extra measure of help. Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



10. NO SAT OR ACT? Did you get a low SAT or ACT score, or did you miss taking the exam in time for application deadlines?
Yes. I'd prefer colleges and universities that do not require me to submit SAT or ACT test scores. Source & Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



11. SMOKING? What's your opinion of cigarettes, cigars and pipes?
I'd prefer a college that is creating a smoke-free environment
I'd like a school with no special smoking restrictions.
No preference. Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



12. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Where in America would you prefer to attend school?
New England
The Southeast
The Upper Midwest
The South Central
The West
Any area
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



13. SPORTS & SIZE How big a school would you like? A school's athletic association is an indicator the size of the student body.
I like big schools and big time sports! I'd prefer a NCAA division I school.
NCAA division II. Schools range in size from less than 2,500 to over 15,000.
NCAA division III. Schools range in size from less than 500 to over 10,000 students
NAIA, an athletic association for even smaller colleges and universities
Intramurals are all the sports I need. Frisbee anyone? These schools are usually small but not always. Sometimes they just aren't into competitive sports. Source & Source
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



14. PUBLIC OR PRIVATE Public colleges are supported by state funds. If you attend a public institution in your own state, you will get a tuition discount and it’s usually easier to get admitted. Private colleges are generally more expensive, but private colleges often offer the best financial aid.
Public school preferred
Private school preferred
No preference.
  What importance do you place on your selection above? High    Medium    Low  



15. MAJOR We've included more than two dozen of the currently most popular majors. Choose a major and this selector will give extra weight to colleges and universities that are notably excellent in that particular area.
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