As you begin this process, realize that there is no "perfect" college or university. There will be a large number of schools that fit your list of preferences and have both the academic and the extracurricular programs that are of interest to you. With over 3,000 colleges and universities in this country, the door is open for you to explore and find a school that you can call home and contribute to the campus community in many ways.
Be open-minded to colleges you've never heard of but that might turn out to be a great fit.
The initial list of schools you want to research should be quite long. As you are exploring schools and doing research, you should begin to narrow your list to the schools you will visit, and then ultimately to the schools you plan to apply to in the fall. There are a variety of resources at your disposal as you begin exploring and researching colleges.
The Internet is one of the best ways to research colleges since virtually all institutions have their own Web sites, and this information is updated on a regular basis. Check out our list of Tennessee four-year universities and community colleges, which also includes links to other schools around the nation and the world. There are also many, many general websites to help students complete the college search and application process. See the Related Links section on this page and Additional Resources.
College Guidebooks such as The Fiske Guide to Colleges, The College Handbook, The Insider's Guide to Colleges, and Barron's Profiles of American Colleges, just to name a few, provide a wealth of information. Most are updated yearly. Consult your college advisor or counselor's office, local bookstore, library, or the College Access Center of Chattanooga.
While guidebooks can be helpful, realize that many are written from a subjective point of view, and should not be used as your only resource. Guidebooks should be used in conjunction with college bulletins, viewbooks, the Web, and campus visits.
College viewbooks, catalogs, bulletins, videos/DVDs are available from most schools and the College Access Center. The viewbooks generally provide a wonderful pictorial view of the campus along with information about entrance requirements, student life, and financial aid. Videos and DVDs, like viewbooks, are more promotional, yet they can provide you a feel for a campus greater than the pictures in the viewbook. College bulletins or course catalogues will give you in-depth information about major programs and other academic opportunities such as study abroad programs and curriculum requirements. The catalog will provide an indication of the depth and breath of courses offered. Many catalogs are available online through CollegeSource.
College visits to your high school by admission representatives or area alumni are excellent ways to get acquainted with various colleges. Admission representatives generally visit during the fall, and their visits allow you to ask specific questions in addition to hearing about the schools.
College fairs provide an excellent way to gather information about a variety of schools and add your name to the schools' mailing lists. When you attend college fairs, be prepared with a few questions, and try to visit with as many representatives as possible. One suggestion would be to take printed address labels with you to avoid filling out cards at every table. These labels should include your name, address, home phone, email address, graduation year, social security number, high school name, and areas of interest. See if there is a national college fair or visual/performing arts college fair in your area, or contact your counselor to inquire about local college fairs.
College tours are organized by the College Access Center and some schools. These allow you to visit and get a firsthand impression of colleges that may be of interest. You can also, of course, choose to visit schools on your own or with family. Find out about College Access Center-sponsored tours and links to virtual tours.
