RESTON, Va., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Choosing the right college can set a student on a path to educational and professional success. But, with thousands of schools from which to choose, careful planning is the key for students to start their higher education journey off on the right foot. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030617/SLMLOGO-a ) The first step in the planning process is to develop a checklist of objectives. Remember, the school a student ultimately chooses will have lasting effects, influencing his or her personal and professional life for years to come. While individual priorities may differ, there are some characteristics all students and families should consider. Sallie Mae, the nation's leading provider of education funding, suggests the following items and questions for inclusion on a student's selecting-a-college checklist: * Curriculum --- Decide on the fields of study that you plan to tackle. Is there a specific subject in mind, like art or music, or do you want a more general, liberal arts education? Do you want a range of potential majors and study programs? Are you interested in a career that requires professional certification, and does the school provide the necessary training? * Cost --- First and foremost, how much can you and your family afford? What types of financial aid are available? * Quality of education --- How much contact do you want with your professors? How much does it matter to you whether professors or graduate students teach your courses? How involved do you want to be in research and in learning outside of the classroom? * Size --- How large or small a school do you want? Do you prefer large lectures with hundreds of students or small classes with lots of student participation? Do you want to be on a big campus with many majors, an impressive library, and lots to do? Or would you prefer a small college where you know everyone's name? * Admission requirements --- What does the school require for admission? What does the school look for in prospective students? And what are your chances of being accepted? * Facilities --- What would you like to see on or near your college campus? Are restaurants, shops, and health clubs important to you? What about laundry rooms? The computer lab? The library and research facilities? Is transportation on and around the campus available? * Campus life --- Consider life outside the college classroom. What special-interest groups, activities, fraternities/sororities do you want to be involved in? * Location --- Which part of the country would you like to experience? Do you want an urban or small-town setting? Do you want to stay close to home so you can visit frequently? * Housing and resources --- If you plan to live on-campus, make sure to investigate the quality of dormitory life. Find out if housing is guaranteed for returning students. And don't forget to check on the meal plan --- can the school provide for special diet needs? * Retention and graduation rates --- Retention rate is the percentage of students who stay for four years. Graduation rate is the percentage of students who graduate within four years. Both rates can provide insight as to whether students are satisfied with their experience at the school and receive the support they need. Once students have created a big-picture idea of what they're looking for in a college, they can more easily narrow their choices. To help students and families make the most of their college decisions, Sallie Mae's free planning and paying-for-college Web site offers a host of information, resources and college-selection checklists at http://www.collegeanswer.com/. "In the end, it is important for students to choose a college where they will feel comfortable and have the opportunity to excel academically and personally," says Martha Holler, a Sallie Mae spokesperson. "Above all, this is a decision that will have a lasting impact, so students and families should do their homework thoroughly." For more information on choosing a college, visit http://www.collegeanswer.com/. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030617/SLMLOGO-a http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Sallie Mae CONTACT: Erin Korsvall of Sallie Mae, +1-703-984-5136 Web site: http://www.salliemae.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/827187.html

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