Make your choice! But is it really what you want?

At the end and beginning of every year, millions of young students around the world face the future with confusion and anxiety. No, it's not the holiday cellulite, as much a tradition as figgy pudding and presents. It's the college application process, and eventually, awaiting acceptance -- or rejection.

A good way to begin your search is to identify what you want to study. Then decide on the other characteristics that are most important to you, such as location and academic reputation. A visit is a good way to consider secondary priorities, such as the quality of food or the comfort of dormitories.

Community/Technical/Junior colleges

The relatively cheap cost and less rigorous academic standard attract many to community colleges. Many two-year schools also have open admissions, which may mean an applicant only needs a high school diploma or GED, or must be at least 18 years old.

For international students with low SAT verbal and TOEFL scores, though community college may be the only option, it can also be a desirable one.

Two-year schools have lately improved programs to better attract -- and prepare -- ambitious students. On the flip side, in an effort to increase diversity, more four-year schools are recruiting two-year school graduates. It makes sense, as more than 50 percent of all minority students study at two-year schools. Currently, 25 percent of all community college graduates are transferring to four-year schools.

It follows that more community college graduates are transferring to more prestigious schools, such as Washington University in St. Louis, New York University, and John Hopkins, whose new scholarship programs for community college honors students are starting a trend.

Richard was such a student, a graduate from an Indonesian high school. A major in Engineering, Richard excelled during his two years of attendance at Shoreline Community College (SCC). Although Richard's English skills were far from fluent, SCC allowed him to begin his education and still maintain a high GPA. He is currently an Honor Society Member in his junior year at the University of Washington.

Cynthia Inda, the first of her family to attend college, was frightened by the prospect of a hard university. In 1996, after graduating from a community college, she transferred to Harvard.

Four-year schools and universities

All four-year schools offer a bachelor's degree in arts and sciences.

A university also has at least one graduate studies program, and at least one professional school.

What is a liberal arts college? And is it for you?

A liberal arts college is a less-well known, but equally competitive type of four-year school.

A liberal arts college accommodates a different type of student than a university. Students usually take a wider variety of courses rather than just courses directed toward their major. This is especially helpful for someone unsure about their academic interests. A libarts college should also appeal to a student who wants to learn to left-brained subjects, such as math and English, rather than to learn practical or technical skills that apply directly to their major.

At St. John's College, every student takes the Great Books Curriculum, which requires everyone to read literary classics. St. John's philosophy is to prepare students for any field by giving them the fundamental tool: critical thinking ability.

A libarts college also provides all the advantages of a small school, and the hefty cost of a private school.

Academics

Many students search for schools that offer an excellent program in their chosen major. However, most college students change their majors at least once. As Stila Hans, an independent counselor in Santa Barbara, California, says, it's best to choose a school that excels in at least three areas you are drawn to.

Class size and teacher-to-student ratio should be seriously considered. Smaller classes are designed for students who enjoy discussion with each other and one-on-one contact with their teachers. On the other hand, if the idea of public speaking makes you tremble, or you'd hang on to every word spoken by that superstar professor, a bigger school may be more to your liking.

Test scores

Many students use a school's average SAT and TOEFL scores to determine whether they should apply. Lower-scoring applicants should not feel too discouraged, however. If a college's average SAT verbal score is 700, that means that half the number of applicants scored less than 700. Also, many colleges exclude the scores of certain groups, such as athletes, that tend to score lower. In addition, most colleges make it clear that they want to recruit a student, not a test score. That's why excellent teacher recommendations or application essays pull so much weight.

Location

One graduate of a college in Connecticut had known about the school's cloudy skies and less than panoramic views, but hadn't expected it to nearly ruin her college experience. But as Lloyd Peterson, director of Education for College Coach, a counseling company, cautions, a school's location can seriously affect one's mood and ability to excel.

You will also need to choose between a suburban/rural area, or an urban area. If you choose an urban school, you might be worried about safety as well as distractions from studying. Not every 18-year-old can resist driving 20 minutes to a spectacular shopping mall. A suburban/rural area has its own benefits as well, though. Without an exciting metropolitan scene, students tend to get to know each other better.

College size

Many experts say that the size of the college may be the most important factor in whether it's a match for you. A large school will offer a greater variety of classes, students and activities. You may also have more and greater resources, such as famous teachers or larger libraries. However, it's easier to feel obscure and isolated in such an environment.

A smaller school will allow you to foster deeper relationships with your teacher, which many believe is the most rewarding part of college. A smaller college will also feel more like high school. There will be more guidance, and you will probably get to know your peers more than in a bigger college.

Quality of life

Again, keep in mind that your future school is also your future home. Just as you would not buy a home without visiting it, if you can, visit your selected school. Experience as much of the living conditions as possible: taste the food, visit the dorms, walk around the campus.

Mt. Holyoke, according to Princeton Review's Best 331 Colleges, is ranked the most beautiful campus in the country.

Demographics

In addition, the student body is your future family, whether you like it or not. During your visit, try to gauge the school's character. Do the students hibernate in the library, or idolize the frat boys of Animal House?

"If you aren't in a culture [you feel comfortable with], you will not do nearly as well academically," advises Stina Hans.

One Rice University student from New York had a unique complaint: "Never have I seen a place where people are so eager to be good ... If they were any nicer, they'd explode."

Also consider religion, diversity, politics, and even gender.

As one student from Brigham Young University gushes, "I appreciate being able to include God in a discussion and not being thought of as extreme for it."

If you can't visit the school, there are some resources to help you get to know its character (see below).

However you choose to approach your college search, above all, start early! The whole process of visiting colleges, researching colleges, and creating applications requires months of introspection and thoughtful effort.

Other resources to check out:

* review.com: With articles and quizzes to determine your interests, Princeton Review's website can guide you through all of your college and graduate school decisions.

* fastweb.com: This largest, most complete online archive of scholarships is a convenient way to save money.

* usnews.com: The site's articles on post-high school education are well-researched and up-to-date.

* The Insider's Guide to the Colleges 2002, by the Staff of the Yale Daily News. This book is composed mostly of student opinion.

* Barron's Best Buys in College Education 2002. The editor asserts that quality and quantity of expense do not always go hand-in-hand. He exposes some of the best-kept secrets in cheap college education.

* Get into Any College: Secrets of Harvard Students. Gen S. Tanabe and Kelly Y. Tanabe, the authors of this book, provide plenty of advice and appealing anecdotes in an engaging, conversational manner.

* Princeton Reviews Best 331 Colleges. Through surveys of college students nationwide and rankings like "Is it Food?" and "Dorms like Palaces," this book combines expert and student opinion to give you an uncensored view of these colleges.

-- Tania Budihardjo