The three most important factors in determining where you want to go to school

There's an old joke among realtors and property-investors, and like most old jokes it holds it holds more than a little truth. A young real estate agent asks a veteran of the industry, "What are the three most important factors in a great property?" The veteran responds, without missing a beat, "Location, location, location."

The same could be said of colleges.

So much is born out of a college's location. Harvard and Yale would not be the bitter rivals and comparable Ivys that they are were it not for both being settled in New England port cities. The University of Iowa wouldn't be a bastion of creative writing MFAs if it weren't for the quiet desolation of the plains states. What would Stanford be without Palo Alto, or Austin without the guiding liberal influence of the University of Texas?

Finding the right campus for you is all about location, so keep these three other important factors in mind.

1. Surrounding cities. Choosing a school is sometimes more a matter of picking a city. Boston and New York are popular choices, but don't forget about Northwestern just outside Chicago or the variety of great schools that pepper the Southwest, from San Diego to Los Angeles. And for all those students who'd rather pick their school based purely on distance from a city, there are more than enough rural opportunities out there.

2. Climate. Do you hate humidity? Do you love snow? Is a constant 75 and sunny year round the kind of thing that would drive you crazy or elate you? Keep climate in mind, especially since some locations are simply better fit for vacation than living. As a Florida resident, you may not want to commit to the University of Alaska without visiting first - and vice versa.

3. Distance from home. Some students will want to get as far away from home as possible. Others may need to stay close by for a variety of reasons. Just know that homesickness and adventure await you wherever you end up.

Sometimes going to college out of state can be particularly expensive. To help handle tuitions in your ideal location, be sure to apply for scholarship opportunities. Garnering scholarships and financial aid will help you manage your finances and stay afloat both during and after school.

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