What Kind of School Fits Me Best?

If each person in your family began his or her postsecondary education at your local community college, then finished up at State U, should you follow in those footsteps? If everyone as far back as your great-grandparents studied at the same small school in Southern California, should you forget your dream of going to a big school in Michigan?
Not necessarily. Schools are like shoes: one size doesn’t fit all. Figuring out what appeals to you and what is distasteful, what’s comfortable and what pinches—basically, what you like and don’t like—is the first step in deciding where to apply. Let’s face it, if you absolutely hate snow, Colorado may not be the place for you, no matter how many friends say it’s their number one choice.
To figure out which schools suit you, begin by considering four basic options: state, private, highly selective colleges and universities, and community colleges. Included in that mix are four-year liberal arts colleges, both private and state. Liberal arts colleges offer bachelor’s degrees, are generally smaller than universities, have smaller classes taught by professors, and focus on graduating students in four years. Universities, both private and state, offer bachelor’s, master’s, and, usually, doctorate degrees. Universities are composed of a liberal arts college, professional colleges, and graduate programs. They generally have larger freshman classes that are often taught in lecture format by graduate assistants. Students must plan carefully to be able to complete studies in four years.