Use this page to help you and your teen narrow your college choices.

Instructions: Make copies of the worksheet for yourself, your spouse and your child. Each of you can take some time to fill out the worksheet on your own, checking all options that apply. Then, schedule a family meeting so each of you can share your choices. Together, you can organize your thoughts, think about your priorities and begin to narrow the options.

• Bible college
• Liberal arts college
• No preference

Family compromise:

• Denominational preference (list here):____________________
• Interdenominational/non- denominational
• No preference

Family compromise:

• Small (less than 1,000 students)
• Medium (1,000-2,500 students)
• Large (2,500 students or more)
• No preference

Family compromise:

• Within our state or a bordering state
• Within a day's drive of our home
• Within the region of the country where we live (Midwest, East Coast, etc.)
• No preference

Family compromise:

• Near a large city
• Within a suburban area
• A rural community
• Other (list):

Family compromise:

In this space, write the amount of money you estimate your family can spend on college and related expenses each year.

• Personal funds
• Installments/college payment plan
• Savings accounts
• Scholarships
• Loans
• Student's part-time employment
• Careful family budgeting
• Other (fill in here)__________________

List majors or programs of study that you/your teen are interested in.

List the opportunities that are important to you/your teen. For example, a study-abroad program, a choir, off-campus ministry opportunities.

List the athletic programs your teen might want to participate in.

List other characteristics that are important to you/your teen in a college.

Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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