1) I enjoy participating in many activities.
Students at small colleges tend to have more opportunity to be involved in many activities. Fewer students means less competition for spots.

2) I would like to have a prominent place in my community.
Student Council Presidents and other would-be leaders take note: It is easier to be a big fish if you're swimming in a small pond.

3) Individual attention from teachers is important to me.
Small colleges generally offer more one-on-one with faculty both in the classroom and the laboratory.

4) I learn best when I can speak out in class and ask questions.
Students who learn from interaction and participation would be well-advised to consider a small college.

5) I am undecided about what I will study.
Small colleges generally offer more guidance and support to students who are undecided. The exception: students who are considering a preprofessional or highly specialized major.

6) I want to earn a Ph.D. in my chosen field of study.
A higher percentage of students at selective small colleges earn a Ph.D. than those who attend large institutions of similar quality.

7) I learn best by listening and writing what I hear.
Students who prefer lecture courses will find more of them at large institutions.

8) I would like to be in a place where I can be anonymous if I choose to be.
At a large university, the supply of new faces is never-ending. Students who have the initiative can always reinvent themselves.

9) I prefer devoting my time to one or two activities rather than many.
Students who are passionate about one activity-say, writing for the college newspaper-will often find higher quality at a bigger school.

10) I want to attend a college that most people have heard of.
Big schools have more name recognition because they're bigger and have Division I athletic programs. Even the finest small colleges are relatively anonymous among the general public.

11) I am interested in a career-oriented major.
More large institutions offer business, engineering, nursing, etc., though some excellent small institutions do so as well (depending on the field).

12) I like to be on my own.
A higher percentage of students live off campus at large schools, which are more likely to be in urban areas than their smaller counterparts.

13) I prefer a college in a warm or hot climate.
Keep in mind that the Southeast and the Southwest have far different personalities (not to mention humidity levels).

14) I prefer a college in a cool or cold climate.
Consider the Midwest, where there are many fine schools which are notably less selective than those in the Northeast.

15) I want to be near the mountains.
You're probably thinking Colorado or Vermont, but don't zero in too quickly. States from Maine to Georgia and Arkansas to Arizona have easy access to mountains.

16) I want to be near a lake or ocean.
Oceans are only on the coasts, but keep in mind the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes, etc. Think about whether you want to be on the water or, say, within a two hour drive.

17) I prefer to attend a college in a particular state or region.
Geographical blinders limit options. Even if you think you want a certain area of the country, consider at least one college located elsewhere just to be sure.

18) I prefer to attend a college close to home.
Unless you're planning to live with Mom and Dad, it may not matter whether your college is a two-hour drive or a two-hour plane ride.

19) I want city life within walking distance of my campus.
Be sure to check out the neighborhood(s) surrounding your campus. Urban campuses-even in the same city-can be wildly different.

20) I want city life within driving distance of my campus.
Unless you're a hardcore urban-dweller, a suburban perch near a city may beat living in the thick of one. Does public transportation or a campus shuttle help students get around?

21) I want my campus to be surrounded by natural beauty.
A college viewbook will take you only so far. To really know if you'll fall in love with the campus, visiting is a must.

22) I like to be surrounded by free-thinkers and nonconformists.
Plenty of schools cater to students who buck the mainstream. Talk to your counselor or browse The Fiske Guide to find some.

23) I like the idea of joining a fraternity or sorority.
Greek life is strongest at mainstream and conservative-leaning schools. Find out if there is a split between Greeks and non-Greeks.

24) I like rubbing shoulders with people who are bright and talented.
This is perhaps the best reason to aim for a highly selective institution, especially if you're the type who rises to the level of the competition.

25) I like being one of the smartest people in my class.
If so, maybe you should skip the highly selective rat race. Star students get the best that a college has to offer.

26) I want to go to a prestigious college.
There is nothing wrong with wanting prestige. Think honestly about how badly you want a big name school and act accordingly.

27) I want to go to a college where I can get an excellent education.
Throw out the U.S. News rankings and think about which colleges will best meet your needs as a student.

28) I want to try for an academic scholarship.
Students in this category should consider less selective alternatives. Scholarships are more likely if you rank high in the applicant pool.

29) I want a diverse college.
All colleges pay lip service to diversity. To get the truth, see the campus for yourself and take a hard look at the student body statistics in the Guide's write-ups.

30) I want a college where students are serious about ideas.
Don't assume that a college necessarily attracts true intellectuals merely because it is highly selective. Some top schools are known for their intellectual climate, and others for their lack of it.

We hope the survey will help you get started on a thorough self-assessment that will continue throughout the college search. After thinking about your priorities, the time is right to begin looking at the colleges. Hundreds of them await!