If you live in a medium sized or larger city, chances are there is more than one community college in your area. Here are some things to find out before choosing the right community college for you.

1. Request a catalog or visit the school’s website. Find out what classes and programs are available and see what interests you.
2. Make an appointment with a school counselor. Talk about your interests and skills. The counselor will help you pick the right courses, discuss financial aid and any answer any questions you may have.
3. Learn about job placement services and opportunities. Find out if the school offers job placement assistance to graduates and how much success they have in finding good jobs for their graduates. Also, ask about internships that might be available while you are still in school.
4. Ask about financial aid available through the school. If you need help filling out your financial aid applications, ask if assistance is available at the school. If transportation availability or cost are a concern for you, ask about financial aid or services that may be available to help you.
5. Find out about available childcare. Ask about the cost and schedule. You should also check out the facility and staff members to make sure it is a place that you are comfortable leaving your child.
6. Check the class schedule. If you are planning to work while going to school, make sure that the classes you want to take are offered at times that don’t conflict with your work schedule. If not, talk with your supervisor and ask if they are willing to allow you to work around your school schedule.
7. Find out about extracurricular activities. Depending on the school, there may be a student newspaper or student clubs to join. There may also be sports teams or social activities.
8. Learn about transferring to a four-year college. Speak to a counselor and find out what class credits transfer and whether it is better for you to take basic, non-major requirements while still in community college. This is an especially good option if you are planning to transfer to a four-year school but aren’t sure what program you want to major in. Ask about whether the community college has partnerships with colleges in the area. Some state universities will automatically accept you once you have graduated from certain community colleges. Many times a community college will offer classes that specifically prepare you for higher level courses in the same major at an associated university.