RESEARCHING COLLEGES: GEOGRAPHY AND AID

Researching colleges is the first step of the college process.

How do geography and cost factor into college research?

Geography is an important consideration in the college process. How close or how far away from home would you like to be? Are you ready to explore beyond your home state? Are there compelling reasons for you to stay closer to family? If you are able to relax your geographic parameters a bit, either staying closer to home or going further away from home than you might otherwise, you will find you have more options in the college process. If you are willing and able to go to less popular parts of the country, you may be able to receive more scholarship money or merit aid.

Cost and aid should be considered at all steps of the college process.‍ ‍

As you begin to research colleges, keep track of what tuition is at each school as well as what room and board might be. Is there on-campus housing available for four years? If not, what is the rental market like in the area surrounding a college or university? What do all of these costs look like over four years? Look up the percentage of students receiving merit aid or financial aid at a school, and what the average award is for each student. A college is a good fit for a student because it meets the academic, social, and financial needs of a student. All three factors should be considered as you are doing college research.

For help with college research, e-mail me:  michelle@samaracollegeadvising.com