THERE ARE FEW BETTER MULTIDIMENSIONAL INVESTMENTS IN LIFE than a solid college education. I have to remind myself of that fact even as I write dual monthly checks for my twins, each currently beginning the freshman ascent toward a bachelor degree.

The investment is not merely financial — though the life-long median salary of college graduates is worlds above the non-college educated, and their risk of unemployment and under-employment is also considerably lower than that of their non-college peers. I know, I know — there are always exceptions, and there should be. Just don’t put too much stock in the admirable-yet-largely-mythical career trajectories of well-known athletes, rock stars or computer wunderkinds. The fates seldom align so fortuitously for the rest of us.

So here are some basics re: applications for college:

1. Read all you can, talk to students (or faculty) in attendance, and visit campuses that seem to fit/interest you. Then, visit a second time: first visits are overwhelming and we often remember oddities and wanna-believe aspects of the institution. Remember, you’re likely to live/attend here for at least four years.

2. Apply to several colleges that interest you; don’t worry about the application fees. There may be a front-runner choice, but don’t invest in merely one option. If you can’t (or won’t) find any front runner, maybe it’s time for a “gap year” away from college, or exploring a community college for a while until the picture clears up.

By the way, there are innumerable books and websites by which you can explore various features and numbers and admissions rates for colleges: Peterson’s, the College Board, Ruggs Guides, Forbes, College Confidential and others abound. Many of the websites have interactive menus where you can pose questions to staff and/or students. Allow for some bias in each case. Read, read and compare. Ask better questions. Re-fill the coffee cup. Read again.

3. Applying as a freshman to one of the CSU schools? The priority application periods is this October through November. Many schools won’t accept past that date for the fall 2015 term. Apply at www.csumentor.edu, which is also a user-friendly site that has a wealth of updated info about each of the 23 member campuses.

Many CSU campuses and/or majors are impacted — meaning that they are highly selective. All have the same tuition rate; books and fees are about the same; room and board will vary a bit.

4. Applying to one of the nine undergraduate UCs? Their only application time frame is this November. Apply at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply.

Most of the UC majors and campuses are selective — some, such as Cal, UCLA and UC-San Diego are notoriously so. I’ve seen paeans to hard work, sacrifice, expansive extracurricular involvement and high, high academic achievement get rejected from some of these campuses. And I’ve seen and heard tears. Never not try; but have backups, and remind yourself — and nagging family members — that a bright, dedicated, hard-working student can excel and succeed in many, many settings. Besides, some of these “prestige” campuses are overcrowded, under-resourced pressure-cookers — particularly in the early years. And the traditional power of pedigree schools may be fading — especially if one doesn’t learn to network well …

5. Applying to independent (aka private) colleges or out-of-state schools? These vary tremendously and are not a one-size-fits-all affair. You the student need to find out specifically what the process is, whether they use a Common Application process and if they want a personal statement, letters of recommendation, etc.

Costs are almost always higher — but a wise family can seek out schools rated highly in “need-based” financial aid, whereby even a middle-income household can qualify for assistance that can reduce annual costs considerably, even down to that of a state school or lower. Apply for scholarships, subsidized loans, and grants (start with www.finaid.org). Visit your high school counselor’s office regularly. Read, visit, interview with the desired college’s financial aid office, as informed and respectful as you can be.

Don’t grandstand. Be patient. It can work.

Rob Peters is a long-time resident of Benicia. He has been a full-time counselor at Diablo Valley College for more than two decades.

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