One of the hardest and most important tasks in picking a college is composing the initial list: the set of colleges that includes all you'd be content to wind up at. It's often easy to find one, two, or three colleges you'd really like, with ideas from a parent or older sibling, high school counselor, or website. But it's much harder to find relevant alternatives: colleges similar to your first choice, but ones that, for one reason or another, are better for your needs.
Michael Lopresti is facing the biggest decision he's ever made, as his mom, Mary Beth, puts it. A high school senior with hopes of one day becoming a surgeon, Michael followed the traditional college path: He visited campuses, applied to a range of schools—including the University of Maryland—Baltimore County (for the academics), the University of Mary Washington (for the campus feel), and the University of Virginia (for a reach school)—and was accepted to most.
Now, armed with his acceptance letters, Michael has one month to select the college where he plans to spend the next four years, as his parents simultaneously balance supporting his choices with finding a way to foot the accompanying bills. The process is often laden with anxiety, says clinical psychologist Jerry Weichman.
"Very rarely is there going to be a clear cut 'yes' when it comes to making a college decision," says Weichman, who specializes in adolescent counseling in Newport Beach, Calif. "It's a huge commitment and any doubt in their decision process often increases their stress [and] anxiety—and they begin to question whether they're making the right decision or not."
Not every online school lives up to its claims. On the other hand, some have amazing reputations for student satisfaction. If you're an online student, or an alum of an online college, we'd love to hear your opinion of your school. Was your college academically challenging? Did attending your school have a positive impact on your career? Were the faculty knowledgeable and responsive? Please visit your college or degree program in our college directory and "grade"—rate and rank—how well your chosen college has performed for you.
