If there’s one thing most people remember from the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, it’s how the heroine went about making her choices – this one is too big, this one is too small, this one is just right. The same can, and should be said when it comes time to choose a college, albeit with a few more criteria to consider. After all, you’re going to be there for four (or more) years, so it should fit just right.

Of the following criteria, some will weigh more heavily than others, and some may not matter to you at all; still, considering each can go a long way to ensuring the college you choose provides a solid foundation on which to build your future.

Location – big city or small; proximity to a big city, airport, etc.; near the beach or near the mountains (outdoor activity); cultural opportunities (museums, music, dance, theater, restaurants, etc.); close to home or as far as possible

Cost – brand names don’t always deliver the best value; how much financial aid is available

Campus activities – lots of clubs/organizations and opportunities for student involvement or few

Academics – areas of study (majors); number of course offerings; opportunities for research positions; quality of the faculty (e.g., percentage with advanced degrees); academic rigor (how hard is it?)

Type of school – two-year vs. four-year; college vs. trade school; public vs. private; college vs. university – large (often public) university with numerous distinct colleges (liberal arts, engineering, business, medicine, law, etc.) that offers an extensive number of majors and degrees; smaller (often private) colleges typically offer fewer academic options but more interaction with professors; religious affiliation;

Athletics – big-time Division I-A program with a stadium bigger than your home town or a smaller school where regular students have an opportunity to compete in intercollegiate athletics; competitive intramural program for non-scholarship athletes to get out and have some fun; or a school with all resources focused on academics

Campus – residence halls or commuter school; large number of buildings and facilities spread across numerous acres or small, close-knit community; downtown, near downtown, small town or off in the country

Student body – number of students and average class size; culturally/ethnically diversity; religious affiliation; single gender or coed

Student resources – academic services (including tutoring and peer mentoring); opportunities for internships; study abroad options; health services (including counseling services); career center; post-graduation resources (such as job counseling, placement services and an alumni network)

Results – graduation and retention rates (percent of students that graduate on time, percent of students who return after first year, etc.); how well do students fare after graduation