Researching Colleges

Visit the college websites! You can start here: Washington State Colleges
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!
- NACAC Virtual College Fair i
- PNACAC College Fair
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!