Do you remember the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears? In it, Goldilocks tasted all the food, sat in all the chairs and tried out all of the beds before finding the one that was the perfect fit. She wasn't going to settle for porridge that was too hot or a bed that was too hard. Goldilocks was determined to have what was best for her.

Goldilocks' adventures popped in my mind as I listened to a friend tell of her daughter Emily's recent college visits.

"I liked this school more than Emily," my friend said. "She thought it was too small."

Yet the state universities Emily visited over the summer were declared too big.

Big or small? That's a question students often ask themselves as they research possible universities. Students will find is that there is no "right" or "wrong" answer. There are advantages, as well as drawbacks, to each.

Bigger schools usually come with a variety of options in every aspect of college life, from college majors, to housing, to extracurricular activities. Bigger universities often have prominent faculty with years of research experience and perhaps even a book or two published in their field. Most large universities have numerous athletic teams, and there are opportunities for involvement in a variety of clubs and other activities.

However, not every student succeeds at a large university. Lecturestyle teaching, common for first and second year classes at larger univer- sities, doesn't work for everyone and sometimes a famous professor is too busy promoting his next book or doing consulting, leaving the teaching to teaching assistants. Some students get lost in the shuffle at large universities.

Smaller schools usually offer smaller classes, giving students more one-on-one attention and increasing the chances for hands-on learning opportunities. Classes are usually taught by professors, with few teaching assistants. The smaller student population lends itself to more personalized academic advising as well.

There are disadvantages to smaller colleges. Housing options are often limited. There are fewer majors to choose from and often fewer resources, too. Entertainment options may be sparse, and many small colleges don't have a variety of intercollegiate athletic teams.

Finding the right college fit depends heavily on a student's personality and academic goals. Luckily, not every student is alike. My daughter went to a large public university that was nearly 10 times the size of the school my son selected. But they both were really happy with their choice, got great educations and established close friendships with faculty and other students.

Students need to determine what they want in a college and base their decision on the school that best meets their needs.

Go to ACT's college planning section at www.actstudent.org for a list of things to consider when choosing a college. Students should list what's important to them and research for colleges that best meet those needs. Visit the schools that make the list - college visits are the best way to get a feel for the school and all it offers.

There are many options when it comes to choosing a college. Remember, big, small or something in between, your student will find the college that is just right for them.

Rose Rennekamp is the vice president of communications for ACT. She is a mom and has a master's of education in guidance and counseling. For more college and career-planning information, visit www.actstudent. org. Have a question you want answered in a future column? Send a letter to this newspaper or e-mail Rose at AskRose@act.org.