Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions most people will make in life. Because there is such variety available in schools, it's important to approach the process with a way of making sense of it all. Starting early on these steps (if possible a year or more before you plan to enter school) will provide you with the time you need to give the proper attention to this important task.

The first step in choosing a college is to perform some initial research about colleges in general. The purpose of this step is to find out what is out there so cast your net far and wide and don't place too many restrictions on yourself. Some of the things you'll be looking for are:

• Costs of attending
• Number of students
• Class sizes
• Locations and climates
• Majors offered

There are many places to perform college research. The internet is ideal and most colleges have websites with all the information you may need. Look for sections of the website called 'About the College' or 'Information for Prospective Students'.

Other sources for college research include high school guidance counselors, college admissions representatives, and students at the schools themselves.

Now that you have gathered a lot of information, it's time to narrow the field. Make a list of what you want in a school and a separate list of colleges that match most of what you are seeking.

Be honest with yourself about where you want to live and what you might want to study. If you're undecided, be sure to list schools that offer a lot of majors. Be realistic about costs but know also that there are scholarships and financial aid that may make an out of reach school possible.

It's difficult to choose a college until you've spent some time on the campus. Schools that look like great fits on paper won't necessarily feel like a fit when you visit and the opposite can also be true. So while you are reaching the end of the search process, this step is one of the most important.

Schedule school visits when classes are in session to get a good feel for campus life. If you have a particular academic interest, schedule an appointment with a professor in that school. It may even be possible to sit in on an actual class. Other departments to visit might include Admissions, Student Housing, and Financial Aid.

Pay attention to the size and layout of the campus. Where are the dorms in relation to classes? Where do students eat? Do the students seem friendly and approachable? Answering these questions will help you develop a sense of the college as a whole.