Is a famous college right for you?

Ask just about anyone to name a few famous colleges and chances are they will come up with names like Harvard, Princeton, Yale, USC, Stanford, Duke, NYU, and MIT. Many students think first of these "brand name" schools when starting their college lists.

But it pays to do your homework before applying to a famous college. What qualities are behind such a reputation? What other qualities should you look at? What qualities will make a college a good fit for you?

Reputation. Some people think that getting a degree from a prestigious college will automatically lead to success in life, such as better jobs, grad school admission, and career advancement.

On the other hand... Studies have shown it is not necessary to have a degree from a "brand name" college to succeed after you graduate. Successful people graduate from all types of colleges. And if you go to a brand name school but don't do well, any advantages you thought you had will disappear.

Look. Their architecture may be considered classic and venerable, with ivy-covered buildings and inviting quads. Famous colleges are often situated in desirable and beautiful settings.

On the other hand... Many colleges are beautiful, with striking architecture, both old and new. Other factors play a stronger role in making a college experience successful, such as attention from professors and the personality of the student body.

Sports. They may have a history of spirited team rivalries and belong to popular athletic conferences covered extensively by the media

On the other hand... The thrill of attending a college that is tops in the NCAA will wear off fast if the college does not offer the academic and personal opportunities you need.

Academics. Most famous colleges have highly ranked academic programs and faculty that are considered leaders in their fields.

On the other hand... Rankings are based on attributes that may not be reflected in your classroom experience. For example, famous faculty do not necessarily teach undergraduates. You can find serious students, inspiring instruction, and outstanding faculty devoted to teaching undergraduates at many colleges.

Selectivity. Famous schools are well known for admitting relatively few students. Just getting in is an accomplishment by itself.

On the other hand... If you apply just to "get in", how do you know you will like the college once you arrive? The college may not suit you at all. You are better off applying to colleges because you know they will fit you, not just because they are famous.

To find colleges that are right for you, start by learning about the qualities that contribute to a college's identity. These include location, size, teaching philosophy, class size, campus community, academic opportunities, and affordability. As you visit colleges and talk to students, translate those qualities into terms that make sense for you. For example, do you prefer a small down-to-earth campus or a bustling urban setting?

To find colleges based on the qualities you seek, try our College Match tool.

a College that Changes Lives?

For a valuable perspective on choosing colleges based on their potential to help students be successful, take a look at Colleges that Change Lives. These are forty small, diverse residential colleges where it is easy to forge meaningful and often lifelong friendships, and where students and faculty are integrally involved in campus life. These colleges focus on the importance of understanding an individual student's needs and on how the student "fits" with the mission and identity of an individual college community.

The perils of rushing your applications

Completing your applications in a hurry can result in calamity. Students in a rush have botched critical questions, missed entire sections, turned in essays full of typos, and missed do-or-die deadlines.

• It's a deadline deadlock. Many students don't realize that there can be separate deadlines for submitting the application, applying for financial aid and scholarships, requesting teacher recommendations, and submitting transcripts. These deadlines land smack in the middle of a very busy senior year that has its own critical dates, such as AP, SAT, and ACT test days. If you rush through your applications you might not notice these critical dates.
• What strategies can help? Your first step is to find an organizational system that works for you. It does not matter if it's an old-fashioned wall calendar, a stack of folders, an electronic spreadsheet, or all of these. Here are some ideas.

• Above all, avoid last minute submissions, especially online. Eleventh hour submission nail-biters are legendary. For example, last minute online applications have run into online traffic slowdowns. Students can sit for hours at the computer screen not knowing if their applications went through. Give yourself enough time to produce your best applications, get them in on time, keep up your school work, and put your focus where it will count mostÑmaking a great college choice.

a personal resume?

Many students report that a one-page summary of their academic and extracurricular achievements is a useful reference when filling out applications. This "personal resume" highlights your honors and awards; activities outside school such as employment, internships, and volunteer service; and any leadership positions you held. It can prompt you as you complete your college and scholarship applications and serve as a resource for teachers writing your letters of recommendation. Need help? Ask your counselor for assistance with the format.

Understanding college "sticker price"

Undoubtedly you've seen the "sticker price"—the published cost of attendance—for colleges you are interested in. You might have wondered how colleges come up with these sometimes sizeable numbers. Here's a breakdown:

Tuition. This is what you pay for academic instruction. Tuition is charged by academic year, term, course or unit. At public colleges, out-of-state students usually pay a higher tuition. Higher tuition or add-on fees can also be charged for majors that have extra expenses, such as supplies and lab fees.

Fees. Student "fees" run the gamut from library access to parking, student government to internet access. Many colleges list "tuition and fees" as one amount without breaking it down. You can find out what goes into this amount by contacting the registrar, cashier, or bursar's office.

Room and board. The cost of housing and meals is usually estimated by the college for students living on campus, off campus, and commuting from home.

Books and supplies. This category includes a broad range of materials you will need to complete course work such as textbooks, printed class materials, and office supplies. A computer is an important "supply" that may be included. Most colleges estimate the average for books and supplies at their institution.

Personal and transportation. These expenses include local transportation, clothing, personal items, entertainment, and dorm or apartment furnishings. Some colleges factor in the cost of health insurance and travel home during school breaks. Health insurance is usually optional if the student is already covered.

Each year, every college estimates the above costs to calculate its annual Cost of Attendance (COA), the full, "undiscounted" cost to attend for a full academic year. The college uses the COA, nicknamed the "sticker price", as the basis for your financial aid calculation. Of course, many students pay less than the sticker price once scholarships and financial aid are applied.

To see the undergraduate COA for any college, look up its College Profile using our College Match search tool.

your personal cost of attendance?

An official COA is an average number that applies to a large group of students. While the number is fairly accurate for most students, your own COA may be different. For example, you may have high travel expenses or need extra instructional technology. If this is your situation, you can ask the financial office to consider adjusting your personal COA, which may increase your financial aid eligibility.