Everyone is different. Your background, interests and personality make you unique. When considering your future career and choice of college, it's easy to be influenced by what others think or say. Don't think of certain colleges as good or bad. Think of which would be best for you.

Depending on many factors, preparing for college can be a simple or a time-consuming process. This Explore section will give you and your family some of the tools you will need.

Virginia is home to many institutions of higher learning.

Public four-year schools can be large colleges and universities such as the the George Mason University, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech, as well as smaller institutions such as Christopher Newport University, Longwood University, Radford University, the University of Mary Washington, U.Va.'s College at Wise, Virginia State University and Norfolk State.

Public two-year schools include the Virginia Community College System's 23 schools across Virginia and Richard Bland College.

Virginia's higher education also includes a wide range of private schools and colleges from Appalachian School of Law to Washington & Lee University. Some are nonprofit institutions, while others are for-profit.