2. Extracurricular Activities Offered

Some people may think this is a shallow thing to consider, but I would strongly disagree. Although I personally would place academics first, I think extracurricular activities are a close second because they are what bring balance to your life. For many, college without certain extracurricular activities, such as sports or arts, would be unbearable, if not financially impossible (that is, if you get a scholarship. However, keep in mind that a scholarship can disappear in a flash after an injury or some other reason that makes performing impossible).

College can be a time for you to continue an activity that you started in high school or even earlier, and it can also be a time for you to try something new. You never know what you might try and really enjoy. If you have something that you want to do competitively, maybe even more so than your studies, then it is worth researching which colleges and universities are in the top 10.

If, on the other hand, you want to continue competitively, but you know that you could never play at a top 10, then consider researching if someone with your background and skill set could still participate. In general, I would suggest considering a college that has a wide variety of things to do and the money to provide state-of-the-art equipment.