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Criminal justice is not “specialized” as other majors. Therefore, your college choices are not as dependent as, say, law school or med school.

So, money matters. Do your Fafsa and see who gives you the best deal.

Your son will let you know where he feels most comfortable.

Questions we asked are retention rates and graduation rates. What are the other popular majors? There is a good chance he will change his mind.

Go online and do some general searches on your schools. Look for crime issues, and general news stuff. That will tell you a lot. Read comments posted about schools.

Look at the dorms. Are they clean? Do you feel safe there? What’s the “vibe.” Look in the common areas. Are they maintained or is it threadbare and worn out? Where is the school spending their money?

Does he have friends at any of those schools. Talk to their parents. One of my kids school is great about dealing with the money side. Bills are clear, clean, and accurate. The other, well known college, has nasty people working in their office.

They will all pitch you like used car salesmen. Don’t buy into it. You are getting ready to spend about $100,000. Make sure you feel good about the place. Make sure you feel comfortable leaving your kid there.

I know it sounds silly, but for the first couple of years it doesn’t matter where you go—the classes are all the same. Ask about any special programs for upperclassmen. Do they do internships? Where have kids done them and how effective are they.

If you can audit a class, do it. Not for the prof—but to check out the upper class students. In a classroom you see the full spectrum. You can tell a lot about a program that way. And you can pick the brains of the kids afterwards.

If your son is basing any of his decisions on a girlfriend, buddy, or sport—smack him up side his head. That stuff won’t matter in six months.

I’ve been though this twice. If you have any ? Along the way, feel free to PM me. The folks in these schools can sometimes make a first time parent feel like an idiot. Don’t let the process intimidate you. YOU are the customer.

Thanks, and I may just take you up on your offer. Interestingly, we eliminated Northern Illinois University for some of the reasons you mentioned: We didn't like the looks of the common areas, parts of the campus felt "worn out" while others were meticulously maintained. We were only shown the oldest dorms which frankly, I don't think I'd let my worst enemy live in and after our visit I got online and read about some "racial unrest" between the hispanic and black students.

All that at the State of Illinois third-largest university.

Thanks for your post, I've bookmarked it and you'll likely hear from me in freepmail.