If you’re a high school senior right now (in March to May), you most likely fall into one of the following:
- You have not attended college/taken a gap year.
- You are attending community college.
- You only applied to one college, which was your dream school.
- You applied to many colleges but only want to attend your dream college, which you got accepted into.
- You applied to many colleges but only wanted to attend your dream college, which you got rejected from, leaving you unsure about what to do.
- You applied to many colleges, or a few, with no exact dream college in mind; you are open to many choices.
If you fall under ‘5’ or ‘6,’ this is for you. Senior year is stressful, from college applications in the first semester to college decision season in the second semester. While many of us seniors thought that the stress and horrors of senior-year college devising were behind us after the collective unpleasant experience of college applications, when comes the months of February and such ensuing months, we are reconnected with the feeling of uncertainty and stress yet hopeful expectancy of the decision(s) that will impact the next four years of our lives. Of course, this situation does not apply to every high school senior, as previously mentioned. If you are not attending or attending a community college, that is okay because, in that case, you have nothing to be stressed about! But for those of us in the predicament where we don’t know where we want to go to college when presented with a few too many options, it can be difficult and confounding to decide which college to commit to. Know that you are not in this situation alone, and instead that you are lucky to have the opportunity to have multiple college offers!
There are five main components you should consider when choosing a college that is best fit for you: academic programs and opportunities, cost and financial aid, school culture and the social environment, location, and career prospects.
Your education should be the priority when deciding which college to commit to. You want to ensure your school provides a strong academic experience in your field of study/interest.
If you already have a major in mind, research how well your options of schools rank for that program. To do this, simply just Google, “How does __ school rank for ___ major.” If your major is undecided, consider schools that have excellent academic advising and allow for exploration. Additionally, if you’re interested in study abroad programs and internship opportunities, don’t overlook research for those programs at your prospective school.
Next, it is crucial to understand the financial aspects of your college options, as cost is often the determining factor in choosing a school. Consider the full cost of tuition, housing, meals, books, and personal expenses, especially if you require financial aid. Additionally, research debt considerations, scholarships, grants, and ROI, being ‘return on investment,’ being the average starting salary of graduates compared to the cost of a degree at such schools. Next, make sure you give thought to the school’s culture and social environment and if you see yourself fitting in. There are many factors in campus culture, such as school size, student organizations and activities, diversity and inclusivity, and overall vibes. Just because a school seems nice on the surface doesn’t guarantee that you’d be fit for it.
Additionally, the location of your college will impact your lifestyle and daily experiences. Make sure you know whether you’d be the best fit for living in an urban, suburban, or rural area. Do you like the beach, the city, the forest, the grasslands, the valley, the desert? Also, consider the distance from your college to your home and how often you visit your family. Some students thrive in a completely new environment, while others prefer to stay closer to home. The last central point to consider is career prospects at your school. Your college should set you up for long-term success, so research career support services and job placement rates. Did you know that colleges in big cities often have high job placement rates due to proximity to businesses and industries? Internships are crucial for many majors looking for job experience; some colleges even guarantee internships!
Choosing a college is a crucial decision that can seem very stressful because this decision is a decision that will impact your future! But instead of seeing this as a stressful burden, try to see it as an exciting opportunity to take control of your future! Remember that no college is perfect, but you will find the fit if you trust yourself!
