Section Menu
Main Content
What to Look for in a School: A Checklist
Download Worksheet (PDF)
As you begin your search for schools, consider the things that are important to you. Are there any "must-haves" that you refuse to compromise on?
Use this checklist to identify everything you are looking for in a school. Print a copy and keep it on hand as you research schools.
Type of School
What type of school best provides the education you are seeking?
- Technical/trade school
- 2-Year college
- 4-Year college
- Other:
Do you care if you go to public (state) or private school?
- Public
- Private
- No preference
Would you be more comfortable at a school of a specific size?
- Yes (Preferred number of students: )
- No
Location
What type of setting do you prefer?
- Urban
- Suburban
- Rural
- No preference
Do you want to go to school in state or out of state?
- In state
- Out of state (State: )
- No preference
Do you care if the school is located close to home?
- Yes (Hours: )
- No
Admissions Requirements
Do any of the following admissions requirements matter to you?
- Percentage of applicants accepted:
- Yes (Percentage: )
- No
- Average class rank of applicants accepted:
- Yes (Rank: )
- No
- Average GPA of applicants accepted:
- Yes (GPA: )
- No
- Average SAT1 scores of applicants accepted:
- Yes (Score: )
- No
Financial Obligations
Will cost (tuition and fees) be a factor when you search for schools?
- Yes (Maximum cost: )
- No
Must the school offer any of the following types of aid?
- Grants/scholarships (academic, athletic, or other)
- In-state residency discounts
- Work-study employment
- Other:
- No
Academic Programs
Are you seeking a specific major that a school must offer?
- Yes (Major: )
- No
What type of learning method do you prefer?
- Hands-on practical learning
- Lecture-based
- Research-based
- Distance learning
- Other:
- No preference
Would you learn better if classes were limited in size?
- Yes (Preferred number of students: )
- No
Are you looking for any special academic programs?
- Independent study
- Study abroad programs (Country: ____________ )
- Honor societies
- Advanced Placement1 (AP1) credits
- Other:
- No
Athletic Programs and Extracurricular Activities
Must the school offer Division I, II, or III sports?
- Yes (Sport: )
- No
Must the school offer intramural sports?
- Yes (Sport: )
- No
Is it important to you that the school have sororities and fraternities?
- Yes
- No
Are there specific clubs or organizations that you want to participate in?
- Yes ()
- No
Housing
Where do you plan to live?
- Dormitory
- Off-campus housing
- Home
- Other:
If living on campus, do you have any specific housing needs?
- Co-ed dormitory
- Single-sex dormitory
- Housing for students with disabilities
- Housing for international students
- Other:
- No preferences
Other
What other "must-haves" will factor into your school search?
- Make up of the student body:
- All male
- All female
- Co-ed
- No preference
- Religious affiliation:
- Yes (Religion: )
- No preference
- Ethnic/minority representation:
- Yes (Specify: )
- No preference
Download Worksheet (PDF)
1SAT, Advanced Placement, and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.