• Geographic location

• Majors available

• Admission requirements

• Tuition and fees

• Financial aid and scholarships

• Campus housing

• Campus security
  http://ope.ed.gov/security

• Programs for students with special needs

• College enrollment

• Athletics and student activities

• Transfer credit acceptance policies

• Academic reputation

• Faculty/student ratio

• Strength of support services (e.g. career services, library, counseling, internships etc.)

• Accreditation and licensure issues

To evaluate college choices you should carefully research each college using a variety 
of methods:

1. Read the college publications and examine the website.

2. Visit the college (see CampusTours.com for a virtual tour).

3. Attend open house programs and sit in on a class or two.

4. Talk with informed people (e.g. current or former students, college counselors and 
   faculty members, parents, and friends).

5. Meet with college representatives at transfer fairs.

6. Use the Internet to research colleges - e.g.:

   • read campus newspapers to get a perspective on campus issues

   • look at campus crime statistics

   • view college placement information

   • check graduation rates and percentage of students entering graduate programs, etc.

   • US News College Search: Search the directory of over 1,400 4-year colleges

   • NJ StatewideTransfer

7. Use college rating systems carefully.

College rating systems are controversial because even the "experts" have difficulty agreeing on 
how to rank colleges, and even if it should be done. A prudent approach in this regard is to use 
college ratings as simply one tool to evaluate colleges. Examine several rating sources to get a 
more balanced opinion. Here are a few of the many college rating sources available in the RVCC transfer library in Advising and Counseling Services:

Other college ratings systems are available in annual editions of popular magazines (e.g. Money Magazine) as well as rating systems on the Internet. A very helpful book on college research is The Internet Guide for College Bound Students by Kenneth Hartman of the College Board. An excellent workbook for organizing the process is Your Transfer Planner: Strategic Tools and Guerilla Tactics by Carey Harbin published by Wadsworth Publishing.

Perhaps the best advice is to start the college selection process early. An important decision should not be made in haste or unduly influenced by the opinions of external sources. The transfer counselors here at RVCC are ready to help you.

www.commonapp.org The Common Application is the recommended form of 227 selective colleges and universities for admission to their undergraduate programs. Many of these institutions use the form exclusively. All give equal consideration to the Common Application and the college's own form.