Guidance Counseling Department » Step Three: Finding the Right College

Step Three: Finding the Right College

Now that you know what major you need to study, its time to start looking at colleges.
 
  • Naviance
  • CollegeBoard
  • How to find the right college(s) for you?
  • College lingo that you need to know
Naviance is a comprehensive software focusing upon: career readiness, college research, supporting document submission and additional academic applications.
 
 
Please reference the video below providing step by step directions regarding requesting letters of recommendation and transcript requests during senior year.  Please note, the steps for 2018-19 are the same for 2019-2010.
You've identified the career that you'd like to work in.  You know what college major you need to get to that career.  Now you need to look at what schools will both: get you that major; be a good fit for you.  CollegeBoard has a College Search engine that lets you enter criteria that you're interested in.  Put in what you're looking for and let them narrow down the search.
 
You'll need your account information to log in.
 
CollegeBoard College Search Tool
 
College search engines, the internet and all those flyers you're getting at home are a great way to start your search, but now you really need to start talking to people who know the school.
 
Attending a college fair is a great way to learn about a lot of colleges without actually having to travel.  Just remember: this may be your first impression of their college but it's also their first impression of you.  Make sure you prepare.
 
After you narrow down your list of potential colleges to the ones you think you want to go to, then its time to go visit the college while classes are in session.  Nothing will give you a better idea of how the school "feels" to you than actually being on campus with the students.  Check the college's website for planned admissions events, take a tour with a student guide, meet an admissions counselor and maybe even sit in on some classes.
 
Also, consider attending The Hackettstown College Fair & Planning Night.
 

COLLEGE OPEN HOUSES - NJ SCHOOLS

Be sure to call the college in advance to verify the date and time as some of these dates may change. Many schools request that you register before coming to an open house. See your school counselor for more information. Many schools besides those listed offer open houses. Call your prospective colleges and universities for their schedule. It is an excellent idea to include both open houses and college tours in your college exploration. The open house allows you to see many of the activities available on campus while the traditional college tour lets you experience the college in a more typical environment.

 

Atlantic Cape Community College
Spring 2019 College -Wide Open House
Sunday, April 7
(609) 343-5009

 

Bergen Community College
Paramus Campus
Thursday, April 25,2019
(201)447-7200

Berkeley College
Calendar of Events
800-446-5400

 

Bloomfield College
(973) 748-9000

 

Brookdale Community College
Sunday, March 31, 2019
732-224-2345

 

Caldwell University
Preview Day
February 9th, 2019
Undergraduate Open House
April 27, 2019
973-618-3500

 

Centenary University 
January 19, 2019
March 2, 2019
800-236-8679

 

College of New Jersey
Lions Day Open Houses
Saturday, March 30
Sunday, April 28
800-624-0967

 

College of St. Elizabeth
Information Sessions
Monday, January 21, 2019
Monday, February 18, 2019
Open House
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Saturday, April 27, 2019
800-210-7900 ext. 4700

 

DeVry University
732-729-3715

 

Drew University
Discover Drew Day
January 26, 2019
973-408-DREW 
800-338-8803

 

Fairleigh Dickinson University  
Saturday and Holiday Visit Dates
Monday, January 21
Saturday, February 2
Saturday, February 16
Monday, February 18
Saturday, March 2
Monday, March 23
Florham Campus
973-443-8900
Metropolitan Campus
201-692-7308

 

Fairleigh Dickinson University
The Regional Center for College
Students with Learning Disabilities  
Call to register: 201-692-2087 
Link to download Information Session dates

 

Felician University
Undergraduate Open House
Saturday, January 26, 2019
201-355-1465

 

Georgian Court University 
February 23, 2019
732-987-2700

 

Kean University
Open House
Saturday, March 30, 2019
908-737-7100

 

Monmouth University
732-571-3400

 

Montclair State University
973-655-5322

 

New Jersey City University
Gothic Knight Saturdays
January 26th
February 23rd
March 23rd
April 27th
888-441-NJCU

 

New Jersey Institute of Technology
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Sunday, April 28, 2019
973-596-3300

Passaic County Community College
973-684-6305

 

Princeton University
609-258-3330

Ramapo College of New Jersey
May 5, 2019
201-684-7300

 

Rider University
Spring Open House
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Experience Westminster
Friday, March 08, 2019
Friday, April 26, 2019
800-275-9026

 

Rowan University
March 3, 2019
April 7, 2019
800-447-1165

 

Rowan College at Burlington County
General Information Session
April 11, 2019
(856) 222-9311 ext. 1199
admissions@rcbc.edu

 

Rowan College at Gloucester County
Thursday, March 28, 2019
856-468-5000

 

Rutgers University-Camden
Discover Rutgers–Camden Day:
Monday, February 18
856-225-6133

 

Rutgers University-New Brunswick
For more information,contact 732-445-1000
or visitorcenter@ugadm.rutgers.edu
732-445-4636

 

Rutgers University-Newark
973-353-5205

 

St. Peter's College

Peacock Preview
February 18, 2019
888-SPC-9933

 

Seton Hall University
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Sunday, April 14, 2019
973-761-9000

 

Stevens Institute of Technology
Spring 2019 Visit Days
Saturday, February 2 (General Visit Day)
Saturday, March 9 (Sophomore & Junior Visit Day)
800-458-5323

 

Stockton University
Sunday, April 7, 2019
609-652-4261

 

William Paterson University
Saturday, May 18, 2019
973-720-2125

 

Information from www.njsca.org website under "resources" and "college open houses".  For updated information please reference the source site (https://www.njsca.org/college-open-houses)
College Open Houses- Pennsylvania

Be sure to call the college in advance to verify the date and time as some of these dates may change. Many schools require that you register before coming to an open house.  Click on the college's name link to be taken to their Open House Website, if available.
 
The information is provided by the NJSCA (New Jersey School Counselor Association)
For the most updated information, please reference the source website: https://www.njsca.org/pa-open-houses


Albright College
October 14
November 8
November 25
(800) 252-1856

 

Allegheny College
September 21
October 26
November 23
(800) 521-5293

 

Alvernia University
October 19
November 9
(610) 796-8200

 

Arcadia University
September 22
October 20
November 17
(215) 572-2900

 

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
September 28
October 19
(570) 389-4316

 

Bryn Athyn College
Spring Information Session
March 23
Sophomore/Junior Visit Day
May 11
267-502-2511

 

Bryn Mawr College 
October 7
(800) BMC-1885

 

Bucknell University 
Fall Open House (sophomores and juniors)
September 7
November 4
STEM Open House (sophomores, juniors and seniors)
August 31
Arts & Humanities Open House (sophomores, juniors and seniors)
September 21
(570) 577-1101

 

Cabrini University 
September 21
November 10
800-848-1003

 

California University of Pennsylvania 
September 28
October 14
November 9
(724) 938-4000

 

Cairn University
October 4-5
November 8-9
February 14-15
March 20-21
April 17-18
(optional overnight add-on available)
800-366-0049

 

Carnegie Mellon University
Tartan Overnight
Open only to Carnegie Mellon applicants. 
(412) 268-2000

 

Cedar Crest College
October 7
November 4
December 2
February 3
March 2
April 6
May 4
800-360-1222

 

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
(800) 243-9639

 

Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Open Houses:
October 19
November 2
November 16
Preview Days:
October 14
November 11
December 2
800-672-7171 x1

 

Delaware Valley University
October 20
November 10
800-2DelVal

 

DeSales University
October 12
November 24
(877) 4DESALES

 

Dickinson College
September 21
October 14
November 9
800-644-1773

 

Drexel University
October 12
October 13
November 9
November 10
(800) 2-DREXEL

 

Duquesne University
September 15
(412) 396-6197

 

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
September 28
October 26
November 16
877-230-5547

 

Eastern University
October 14
November 2
November 11
February 17
March 14
April 6
800-452-0996

 

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
October 19
November 9
888-8GO-BORO

 

Elizabethtown College
October 12
(717) 361-1000

 

Franklin and Marshall College
September 14
September 28
October 12
October 19
(877) 678-9111

 

Gannon University
October 19
(800) GANNON-U, ext. 7407

 

Gettysburg College 
September 2
November 8
Februray 17
March 28
April 27
(800) 431-0803

 

Grove City College 
September 9 - Made-to-Order Monday
September 20 - Overnight Visit
September 21 - Senior Preview Day
October 11 - Overnight Visit
October 12 - Hopeman Discovery Day
October 14 - Music Major Day
October 25 - Overnight Visit
November 8 - Overnight Visit
November 9 - Senior Preview Day
November 11 - Made-to-Order Monday
November 16 - Education Major Day
(724) 458-2000

 

Gwynedd-Mercy University
October 19
November 9
800-DIAL-GMC

 

Haverford College
Guided Tours Monday-Saturday
(610) 896-1000

 

Holy Family University 
August 21
October 6
November 3
December 7
(215) 637-3050

 

Immaculata University
September 14
November 16
877-428-6329

 

Indiana University of Pennsylvania
October 26
November 9
800-442-6830

 

Juniata College
October 14
November 9
(814) 641-3000

 

Keystone College
October 19
1-877-4COLLEGE
1-570-945-811

 

King's College
October 20
November 10
888-KINGS PA

 

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
September 28
October 26
November 16
College of Business Open House
October 11
STEM Open House
October 12
Visual and Performing Arts Open House
November 6
(610) 683-4060

 

La Salle University
September 21
October 19
800-328-1910

 

Lafayette College 
July 10, 17, 24, 31
August 7, 14
October 19
November 7
Senior Open House
November 8
Arts Open House 2019
October 18
Engineering Open House 2019
October 25
(610) 330-5100

 

Lebanon Valley College
Information Sessions
September 28
December 7
Discovery Day
October 19
November 9
Day at the Valley
October 25
November 18
(866) LVC-4ADM

 

Lehigh University
September 22
(610) 758-3100

 

Lincoln University
November 1
(610) 932-8300, ext. 3206

 

Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
April 6
800-233-8978

 

Lycoming College
September 28
November 9
(800) 345-3920 ext 4026

 

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
September 28
October 12
November 8
800-577-6826

 

Marywood University
October 19
November 16
866-279-9663

 

Messiah College
October 14
October 26
800-233-4220

 

Millersville University of Pennsylvania
September 28
October 19
November 9
(800) MU-ADMIT

 

Misericordia University
September 28
November 9
(866) 262-6363

 

Moore College of Art and Design
September 21
(800) 523-2025

 

Moravian College
September 14
(800) 441-3191

 

Muhlenberg College
October 19
484-664-3203

 

Neumann University
September 29
November 16
January 26
(800) 9-NEUMAN

 

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
September 21
November 16
January 18
March 28
(717) 396-7833

 

Pennsylvania College of Technology
Exploration Days
September 6, 21
October 4, 9
Open House
October 27
800-367-9222

 

Pennsylvania State University--University Park
(814) 865-5471

 

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 
September 21
October 26
November 16
(800) 822-8028

 

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
August 16
October 19
October 26
November 2
(724) 738-9000

 

St. Joseph's University
September 29
(610) 660-1000

 

Susquehanna University
September 14
October 14
(800-326-9672)

 

Swarthmore College
(610) 328-8300

 

Temple University
September 29
November 10
215-204-7200

 

Thomas Jefferson University
(formerly Philadelphia University)
September 28
November 16
(800) 951-7287

 

University of Pennsylvania
(215) 898-7507

 

University of Pittsburgh
(877) SEE-PITT

 

University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
October 12
724-836-9880

 

University of the Arts
November 23
March 21
(800) 616-ARTS

 

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
September 29
October 19
November 9
(888) 996-8747

 

Ursinus College
October 19
(610) 409-3200

 

Villanova University
School of Business/College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
September 14
College of Nursing/College of Engineering
September 15
(610) 519-4000

 

Washington and Jefferson College
Discovery Day
October 14
Overnight Experience
November 14 & 15
School Counsleor Winter Brunch
December 6
(888) W-AND-JAY

 

Waynesburg University
October 26
November 16
(800) 225-7393

 

West Chester University of Pennsylvania
(610) 436-1000

 

Widener University
October 26
November 17
(610) 499-4126

 

DE, DC, MD, NY & VA OPEN HOUSES

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York & Virginia College Open Houses

Be sure to call the college in advance to verify the date and time as some of these dates may change. Many schools require that you register before coming to an open house. Click on the college's link in the left column to be taken to their Open House website, if available.

 

For the most updated information, please reference the source website (www.njsca.org) and reference the following link: https://www.njsca.org/de-dc-md-ny-va-open-houses

 

Delaware, DC, Maryland, New York & Virginia Colleges & Universities

 

DELAWARE

Delaware State University
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Dover, DE Campus
(800) 845-2544

 

University of Delaware
Blue and Golden Prospective Student Open House
Saturday, September 21, 2019
(302) 831-8123

 

Wesley College
(800) 937-5398 ext. 2400

 

Wilmington University 
October 23, 2019
(877) 967-5464
 

DISTRICT of COLUMBIA

American University
(202) 885-1000

 

Catholic University 
Saturday, October 12, 2019
800-673-2772

 

George Washington University 
GW Day
Saturday, September 14, 2019
202-994-6040

 

Georgetown University 
(202) 687-3600

 

 

MARYLAND

Frostburg State University
Saturday September 28, 2019
Saturday October 12, 2019
Saturday November 16, 2019
(301) 687-4201

 

Goucher College 
Explore Goucher Days
October 19, 2019
November 11, 2019
1-800-GOUCHER extension 6100

 

Hood College 
Discover Hood Days
October 19, 2019
November 16, 2019
800-922-1599

 

Johns Hopkins University 
Saturday, October 12, 2019
(410) 516-6881

 

Loyola College 
November 9, 2019
800-221-9107

 

McDaniel College 
800-638-5005

 

Morgan State University 
Explore Morgan Day
November 1, 2019
(443) 885.3000

 

Notre Dame of Maryland University 
November 9, 2019
800-435-0300

 

Salisbury University 
September 21, 2019
October 12, 2019
November 9, 2019
(410) 543-6161

 

St. John's College 
Annapolis Saturday Tours
September 21, 2019
October 12, 2019
October 26, 2019
November 9, 2019
November 23, 2019
December 7, 2019
(800) 727-9238

 

St. Mary's College of Maryland 
September 21, 2019
October 19, 2019
November 9, 2019
800-492-7181

 

Stevenson University 
September 28, 2019
October 26, 2019
November 23, 2019
(877) 468-6852

 

Towson University  
October 26, 2019
November 9, 2019
November 15, 2019
November 16, 2019
(888)-4TOWSON

 

United States Naval Academy 
    Visit USNA
(410) 263-6933

 

University of Maryland--College Park  
800-422-5867

 

University of Maryland--Eastern Shore 
November 8, 2019
410-651-8403

 

Washington College 
September 28, 2019
November 16, 2019
(800) 422-1782, x-7700

 

 

NEW YORK

Adelphi University  
October 20, 2019
November 16, 2019
800-233-5744

 

Barnard College 
October 14, 2019
212-854-2014

Berkeley College 


September 28, 2019
800-446-5400

 

Colgate University 
October 25, 2019
(315) 228-7401

 

Columbia University 
(212) 854-4900

 

College of Mount Saint Vincent 
September 29, 2019
718-405-3267

 

Cornell University 
(607) 255-0659

 

Fashion Institute of Technology 
October 12, 2019
October 13, 2019
212-217-3760

 

Hamilton College 
Hamilton Saturdays
September 7, 2019
September 14, 2019
September 21, 2019
September 28, 2019
October 5, 2019
October 12, 2019
October 26, 2019
November 2, 2019
November 9, 2019
November 16, 2019
800-843-2655

 

Hobart and William Smith Colleges
September 20, 2019
October 25, 2019
November 11, 2019
(315) 781-3000

 

Hofstra University 
September 22, 2019
October 20, 2019
November 9, 2019
(800) HOFSTRA

 

Iona College
October 27, 2019
November 16, 2019
914-633-2622

 

Ithaca College 
October 5, 2019
October 14, 2019
October 26, 2019
November 11, 2019
(800) 429-4274

 

LIU Brooklyn 
September 21, 2019
October 12, 2019
November 16, 2019
December 14, 2019
718-488-1011

 

Manhattan College 
October 27, 2019
800-MC2-XCEL

 

Manhattanville College 
October 19, 2019
November 16, 2019
914-323-5464

 

Marist College 
845-575-3226

Marymount Manhattan College
October 26, 2019
November 17, 2019
December 14, 2019
212.517.0400

 

New School University 
(212) 229-5665

 

New York Institute of Technology 
October 19, 2019 (Long Island)
October 27, 2019 (New York City)
800-345-NYIT

New York (Cont.)

New York University
October 19, 2019
October 20, 2019
(212) 998 - 4500

 

Pace University 
Open House (Westchester Campus):
October 20, 2019
Open House (NYC Campus):
October 12, 2019
800-874-PACE

 

Parsons The New School for Design 
(212) 998 - 4500

Pratt Institute 
Portfolio Review
(800) 331-0834

Rochester Institute of Technology 
September 28, 2019
October 14, 2019
November 9, 2019
585-475-2411

 

Skidmore College 
October 14, 2019
November 11, 2019
(800) 867-6007

 

St. John’s University
Queens Campus
October 6, 2019
November 23, 2019
Staten Island Campus
October 19, 2019
718-990-2000

 

St. Lawrence University
Visit Days
October 14, 2019
November 11, 2019
December 6, 2019
800-285-1856

 

SUNY 
Open House Schedule 
SUNY Activities and Events

 

Syracuse University
Orange Preview
October 14, 2019
November 8, 2019
(315) 443-3611

 

Union College 
October 14, 2019
(518) 388-6000

 

University of Rochester 
Research Rochester Open House
October 14, 2019
October 19, 2019
November 11, 2019
(888) 822-2256

 

Vassar College 
October 14, 2019
November 11, 2019
(800) 827-7270

 

Wagner College 
Campus Visit Days:
October 20, 2019
November 9, 2019
(800) 221-1010

 

Webb Institute
October 13, 2019
516-403-5900

Wells College
October 26, 2019
November 9, 2019
(800) 952-9355

 

VIRGINIA

Christopher Newport University 
October 19, 2019
February 1, 2020
March 14, 2020
( For an overnight stay the Friday before Open House , email overnight@cnu.edu )
(757) 594-7000

 

College of William and Mary 
Fall Focus Days
September 14, 2019
September 22, 2019
September 28, 2019
October 6, 2019
November 2, 2019
November 9, 2019
November 16, 2019
(757) 221-4223

 

George Mason University
October 20, 2019
703-993-2400

 

Hampton University 
(757) 727-5328

 

Hampden Sydney College 
September 28, 2019
October 12, 2019
October 14, 2019
November 8, 2019
(434) 223-6000

 

Hollins University 
Discover Hollins Day
October 26, 2019
Overnight Open House for Seniors
November 10-11, 2019
800-456-9595

 

James Madison University 
September 28, 2019
November 9, 2019
(540) 568-5681

 

Longwood University 
Lancer 360° Live
October 12, 2019
November 16, 2019
February 22, 2020
800.281.4677, Ext. #2

 

Lynchburg College 
September 28, 2019
November 9, 2019
800-426-8101 ext. 8300

 

Mary Baldwin University 
October 26, 2019
November 9, 2019
800-468-2262

 

Norfolk State University 
November 9, 2019
800-274-1821

 

Old Dominion University 
October 19, 2019
November 16, 2019
February 1, 2020
757-683-3648

 

Randolph Macon College 
September 14, 2019
October 14, 2019
November 16, 2019
800-888-1762

 

Roanoke College 
Fall Visit Days
October 5, 2019
October 27, 2019
November 16, 2019
800-388-2276

 

Shenandoah University 
Open House
October 19, 2019
November 16, 2019
December 7, 2019


Conservatory Open House Programs
540-665-4581

 

University of Mary Washington 
September 21, 2019
October 26, 2019
November 16, 2019
February 17, 2020
April 10, 2020
540-654-2000

 

University of Richmond 
Preview Richmond
October 21, 2019
February 21, 2020
(800) 700-1662

 

University of Virginia
434-982-3200

 

University of Virginia at Wise
Prospective Student Tailgate
September 21, 2019
Open House
November 16, 2019
888-282-9324

 

Virginia Commonwealth University 
October 5, 2019
October 26, 2019
(800) 841-3638

 

Virginia Military Institute 
September 13-14, 2019
October 18-19, 2019
November 8-9, 2019
February 7-8, 2020
February 28-29, 2020
March 27-28, 2020
(800) 767-4207

 

Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
October 26-27, 2019
November 16-17, 2019
March 21-22, 2019
(540) 231-6267

 

Virginia State University
804-524-5901

 

Virginia Union University
800-368-3227

 

Virginia Wesleyan College 
Marlins Days: 
October 19, 2019
February 15, 2020
April 4, 2020
757-455-3208

College Terminology 
 
http://www.collegeprep101.com/college-terminology.html