Picking a school How to research schools, a soul-searching quiz, students tell what they did right and wrong and profiles of regional schools.

A few questions to ask yourself when picking a college
How do you learn best? Where do you want to live? What size school would you prefer?

Regional-school highlights
Academic and social life at regional schools, including high-school grades and scores of the average first-year student.

COLLEGE TOURS
Making the most of a college tour: our checklist
Visiting a college you're considering has been likened to test-driving a car: an indispensable way to gauge whether you're making the right choice.

Touring hundreds of colleges at once
The college fair is an inexpensive way to look over far-flung options.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Community college: Is it right for you?
It's a good option for many, but be savvy about the rules if you plan to transfer to a four-year school.

Vocational school
Vocational schools allow students to focus on special interests. Also:
  · Tips on checking out a school's credentials