Choose your college carefully

CLARENCE - Nearly 66 percent of high school graduates will attend college, according to the New York Times.

While the other 34.1 percent who decide not to go to college, don't need to fret over what college suits them best, the 65.9 will.

There are a lot of factors that influence a senior's decision about which college to attend. There are three main things to consider when deciding if a college is the right fit for you - the size, the majors the school offer and the cost.

If you are a person who likes smaller class sizes, a private college may be a good fit. In a small college or university, the students will actually get to know their professor and not just be a number. A bigger college or university would be a better fit for someone who doesn't really want to be noticed and can deal with being around 300 and more students in a single class. In a big college, the students won't really communicate verbally but via email most of the time.

'The smaller college is what I prefer, since Wartburg is where I'll be attending next fall and there I won't just be a number,” North Cedar senior Makayla Schulter said.

At most colleges, there are a variety of majors to choose from. But if you are looking for something very specific, make sure to pick a college that offers that major.

The most important thing to look for when choosing a college is the cost. College is extremely expensive and can be very hard to pay for, even after grants and scholarships have been awarded. Private colleges tend to be very expensive, so if the cost can't get brought down, a junior college or bigger university like Iowa may be a cheaper option.

'I look for the things that will give me a sense of comfort where I won't get homesick,” senior Brittyn Wilhau said. 'I also look for friendliness of the professors, and the last thing I want in a college is that I'll have lots of opportunities.”

Schulter said she wants also looks for 'friendliness, and a strong teaching program because I plan on being a teacher.”

Make a good choice when choosing a college. Your career and future depend on it.