There are a lot of books about getting ready for college, including some that tell you how to go about choosing the right one. Go to the library and check out one or two -- that's what I did.

What you should do, basically, is decide what you want most in a college, then look at some of the many books that give information on the colleges (there are new editions printed every year, and every bookstore and library should have them). You already have a headstart: you know you want a school strong in chemistry, education, and computer science. Now think about some other things: would you rather have a school in/near New York, or would you rather be far from home (new experiences, but more expense to travel back home)? Would you feel more comfortable in a large school where you'd meet lots of new people, or a smaller school where it would feel more intimate? And so on. Once you decide on your priorities, the college information guides should help you pick some that fit your criteria; write to them for more information. Don't pin all your hopes on one or two schools, though; choose some that you'd really like, as well as some that only fit some of your criteria but that you're certain you could get into.

As far as the money situation ... with grades and test scores like yours, I'm willing to bet you'll qualify for both need- and merit-based scholarships just about everywhere.

Good luck to you. It's not easy choosing a college, but it's one of the first important decisions you'll ever make.

-- Trip