As you begin to consider various factors as they relate to colleges on your radar screen, it is important that you focus on your priorities. A tool that can prove helpful in sorting the “must haves” from the “maybes” is the hierarchy of importance. As a factor (location, distance from home, prominence of athletics, etc.) comes into consideration, ask yourself whether that factor is “essential,” “very important,” “would be nice” in your choice of college.
Match your learning style and priorities for college with the characteristics of the colleges you are considering. Where do the “very important” and “would be nice” factors show up? Be careful to make sure your decision-making is framed by the “essentials”.
Please identify the level of importance in your college search of the following criteria with 1 being "non-essentials” to 3 “would be nice” to 5 “very important”:
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| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Close to Home |
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| Liberal Ethos |
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| Conservative Ethos |
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| Coed dorm |
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| Single Sex College |
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| Small Liberal Arts College (1,000-3,000) |
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| Mid-Size College/University (4,000-8,000) |
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| Large University (10,000>) |
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| Campus in a rural setting |
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| Campus in a suburban setting |
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| Campus in a city |
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| Cold Weather |
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| Warm Weather |
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| Greek Life |
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| Rah-Rah Sports |
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| Financial Aid |
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| Crime and Safety |
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| Number of friends also interested |
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| Leadership Opportunities |
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| Ability to change major |
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| Ability to double major |
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| Travel abroad |
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| Internships |
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| Percentage of students living on campus |
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| Roommate different (religious, political, socio-economic) |
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| Opportunities to participate in the arts |
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| Opportunities to participate in the arts |
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| Student Learning Services |
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