A number of students want to take their love of horses with them to college and beyond into an equestrian career of some sort. But as more and more colleges offer equine courses and equine degrees, how can perspective college students get over the hurdle of finding the right programs and schools for them? 

For example, we list more than 80 equine studies colleges and universities in our college search. How do you narrow it down to fewer than 10 to apply to or even the one you really want to go to? 

Of course, as you research the schools, you can consider items like location and cost, and what would make the most sense for you and your family in those areas. But there are some subject matter-specific considerations to keep in mind when looking at equine colleges. 

According to an article by Ron Meredith, president of Meredith Manor International Equestrian Centre, “the single most important factor for the serious horseman to consider in comparing programs is total number of hours spent on horseback.” The contact and experience with the animal cannot be matched. 

He also says to consider:

• Teacher-to-student ratio
• Theory classes to support the time riding
• Stable space (especially if the student will be bringing a horse to school)
• The school’s accreditation
• Career records of graduates

Maybe you’re like Megan Jungwi. She’s a freelance writer with a passion for marine biology. She studied the subject while in college at the University of Chicago, and she wrote this article about the best marine biology schools in the U.S. 

So if you’re starting your own college search and are thinking of pursuing a marine biology degree, be sure to check out these institutions, listed in alphabetical order: 

·         Boston University

·         Cornell University

·         Duke University

·         Harvard University

·         University of California -- Berkeley

·         University of California -- Santa Barbara

·         University of Miami

·         University of Texas at Austin

·         University of Washington

Many current high school students are interested in pursuing sports management careers after college. So, as you begin your college search, what should you be thinking about? Are sports management degrees the only way to go? Or even the best?

According to Sports-Management.com, “Three of the best sports management programs are UMass [Amherst], Bowling Green State University and Ohio University.”

Additionally, the website cautions that some college and university sports management degrees may not be the best choice. The program could be poor, so be sure to do your due diligence in researching schools and the curriculum. Also, you do not specifically need to go into college as a sports management major in order to come out with a job in the field. “You may be better off majoring (in) business, law or marketing as long as you continue to stay involved in the career path of your choice,” advises the site. 

So once you get to college, never underestimate the power of elective courses, student internships and collegiate extracurricular activities.

Educated Nation writes that UniversitiesAndColleges.org has compiled a "be-all end-all" list of free online college courses. These aren't degree-granting programs, but they're a great way to embark on or continue your intellectual journey, whether you're a high schooler who wants a glimpse into what college coursework is like or a graduate eager to expand your knowledge. Have a specific subject of interest? You can select from subjects such as History or Business and Economics. Want a taste of the Ivy League? Yale puts lecture videos of introductory courses online.

Here are some of the fantastic educational options available on the web:

• Stanford University offers downloadable courses and lectures that can be played on your iPod.

• Aspiring music students can get instruction through the Berklee School of Music's free music lessons.

• Check out business school by sampling classes from MIT's presitigious Sloan School of Management.

• MIT, the top tech school in the country, also has a considerable number of free undergraduate course materials.

• Study abroad just became free with podcasts and lectures from the UK's University of Nottingham.

For these awesome choices and many more, check out the full list here.

A degree may be the most significant thing you receive from your college, but at the University of Tampa, students get more than just a four-year education. Any graduate can hold their wedding reception in one of the school's three ballrooms (originally built as part of a luxury hotel) at no cost. Not every college has perks this lucrative, but as admissions becomes even more competitive (for both the applicants and the schools),these little extras sometimes make the difference between an accepted applicant who matriculates and one who doesn't. Check out some of the special benefits students enjoy at the following schools:

• Free (or discounted) transportation: Eco-friendly University of New England lets its freshmen choose between a $480 Gary Tiburon bicycle or a Zipcar gift card loaded with 28 hours of driving. Stanford University offers students $282 through its Commute Club for carpooling, public transportation, and biking. Students also receive $96 in Zipcar credit.

• Free laptops: At Wake Forest and Villanova University, students are given a free laptop when they enter as freshmen and it is replaced junior year by a new laptop that they can keep after they graduate.

• Free vacations: Cottey College, a two-year, liberal arts women's college, offers an all-expenses paid spring break trip to Europe for the senior class (in addition to free maid service and five-star cuisine for all its students).

• Maid service: Stereotypes of rotting take-out containers under unmade beds don't exist at George Washington University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, or Xavier University. These schools give their students complimentary maid service to keep on-campus rooms shiny and clean.
  

• Laundry service: At Davidson, students get their clothes picked up, washed, dried, pressed, hung, and dropped off free of charge. (Dry cleaning is extra, though!) Belmont University, Bryn Mawr College, and Xavier also offer free self-service washers and dryers so students don't have to worry about making change for the machine.
  

• Cheap recreation: For a $20 annual membership in the golf club, recreational golfers can rent equipment and use the private facilities at Syracuse University. At Stanford University, students only pay $25 a round (normally $110 a round for guests) at the school's famed golf course. Michigan Technological University also owns a ski slope where students can rip it up for free without having to pay for lift tickets.