My Dog Ate My Blog

This is a guest post by Elizabeth Kraus, a co-founder of MyUSearch.com, a free online service that helps students find their college match.

If you type “find my college match” into Google, you will get approximately 33 million results. You will see dozens of degree programs and college matchmaking sites that claim to have the right degree for you, but how do you know where to start? These five easy steps will help you navigate the sea of options to help you find your perfect college match.

1)      Find a list of HONEST recommendations. The best way to get a quick list of potential degree programs is to visit a college matching site. These services are free, but look before you leap. Many of these sites only recommend colleges that have paid to be listed on their site. To get a list of potential degree programs, start with an online degree search that will offer honest and objective recommendations. Avoid college search sites that request your contact information upfront and are blanketed with college ads. Understand that “sponsored” or “featured” recommendations have paid to be listed there and make sure to read the terms of service.

2)  Don’t worry about cost just yet. Students often immediately rule out certain degree programs because of cost, but don’t be so quick to give programs the ax. The price of a degree program is affected by many different factors, so don’t cross off any degree programs until you fully understand your financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and additional costs that may not be included.

3)  Understand accreditation: One of the biggest mistakes students make when choosing a college is ignoring accreditation. Many employers will not hire applicants with non-accredited degrees, nor will most colleges and universities accept non-accredited transfer credits. Additionally, you need to pay attention to the type of accreditation. Most colleges have either regional or national accreditation. There are advantages to both, but make sure you understand which one is right for you.

4)  Be realistic about your chances: It seems as if it gets harder and harder to get into college every year. The Princeton Review recommends that you apply to three match schools, three reach schools and two safety schools. Make sure you cover your bases so you have some options once your acceptance letters come in.

5)  Go and visit: Once you actually get your acceptance letters, go over the finance options with a fine tooth comb and if it’s at all possible, go and visit the colleges you can realistically afford. Nothing can replace the experience of visiting the campus in person. It might look perfect on paper, but if it doesn’t “feel right” it’s not for you.