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College Profiles - An Introduction

Congratulations! You have taken the first step towards acquiring a college degree. Over the next few months, you will need to make several important decisions before you attend your first class. College Profiles and the College-Profiles.com website are here to help you decide. We provide answers to almost all of the most frequently asked undergraduate questions. This directory will help you locate the best university to meet your academic, personal, and professional goals.

• Consider the cost of attending a public vs. a private university. If you have a limited budget, you may want to research colleges within your state. In-state tuition can save you a substantial amount of money. For example, University of California at Santa Barbara can cost an out-of-state resident $24,817 per year, whereas an in-state-residence tuition is only $6,997 per year.
• Once you have determined what region of the country best fits your financial situation, you need to decide which institutions offer the best academic programs for the subjects you want to study. Unless you are offered a scholarship, it might be a good idea to select a university that offers programs that will benefit your professional future. The college that you choose should offer several other programs of study in case you change your mind. It is okay to change your mind and your major. However, if you are in a university that specializes in a particular field of study, this may involve switching universities. Switching universities will increase the cost of your education and the number of years that you will spend in school.
• Most undergraduate programs have larger class sizes during the first two years of the program. These classes are usually the introductory classes to your major or general education courses. However, if you are interested in smaller class sizes and more individual attention, you may want to look at a private university. Smaller class sizes usually translate into an increase in tuition fees.
• It is important that you really enjoy the region in which the college is located. Bear in mind that this is where you will be spending the next 4 or 5 years of your life. If you like the ocean, do not move to the desert. It may be different and therefore exciting to move away from the place where you grew up, but the novelty may wear off quicker than you think.
• Know and understand the demographics and reputation of the campus. Does the school have a good academic reputation, or is it better known for its nightlife? Is a nationally-ranked football team important to you? Don't underestimate the importance of these apparently “trivial” issues. If it's important to you, it's important for the decision you're about to make.

Good luck and enjoy the directory!