Getting Started
Researching Colleges
- Visit the college websites! You can start here: Washington State Colleges Links to an external site.
- Sign up for college mailing lists so you can stay connected with news and updates from the colleges
- Attend college fairs! There are many virtual college fair happening this fall!
- Tour the college! (if possible)
What Should You Consider
- Type of college – technical, 2-year, 4-year
- Location – distance from home, weather, urban or rural, etc.
- Degrees available – associate’s, bachelor’s, certifications and apprenticeships
- Programs available – subject areas or majors offered
- Public vs. private – public colleges are partially funded by government funds and private colleges are not directly publicly funded
- Special focus – colleges that focus on a specific interest or student population such as arts, single-sex, religiously affiliated and specialized-mission colleges
- Diversity – the types of cultures, languages and demographics represented on campus or in the community
- Size – number of students, campus size, class size, city population, etc.
- Cost of attendance – in- or out-of-state tuition, college fees, books, transportation and housing
- Selectivity – measured by the percentage of students who get accepted based on admission requirements
- Graduation rate – number of students who graduate within 4 or 6 years from that college
Consider the admissions requirements and determine if the school is a reach, solid, or safety for you. It is recommended that you apply to at least one school in each category:
Reach – A selective institution with a very competitive pool of applicants. You might not get in, but it’s worth applying to because it’s your dream school
Solid – You’re a competitive applicant and will likely get accepted
Safety – You’ll definitely get accepted, and it’s a backup in case the others don’t work out
What next? Apply to College!