If you’re starting your college search, you may be thinking, “There are so many schools out there. Where do I begin?” Never fear. There are countless ways in which you can connect with colleges, both on campus and in your own backyard . . . 

In this day and age, understanding each school’s unique financial aid offerings can often be as integral to a student and his or her family as picking the ideal university itself. But financial aid is certainly not meant to be overwhelming or confusing, and financial aid and admission counselors are there to ease you through the process. The goal is to help you find the best fit in every way . . . .

Locating the “right” college—and there is almost certainly more than one “right” college—starts and ends with you! Selecting the schools that suit your style and needs may demand that you reject the conventional hierarchy and wisdom of what is a good school or a popular school or a validating school. Instead, try to first get a feel for a college or university and judge how it meshes with your own personality . . .

If your eyes glaze over at the sight of an answer sheet with dozens of little circles to fill in, if your palms sweat at the very idea of a #2 pencil, if you dread the thought of taking a standardized test—relax. You may have fallen prey to the misconception that getting into college depends on a single test score. For most students, many other elements of the application influence a college’s admission decision . . .