Making a final decision on college can be stressful. It may seem like the most important decision students have ever made, and the stakes can seem awfully high. Students and their parents may be concerned about deciding on the “right” school and fearful of making a “wrong” decision. Instead of fretting over the risk of making a “wrong” decision, students should take a breath, and focus on finding the school that best meets their needs and wants. Read on for how to approach the big decision.
What do students want out of their college experience?
Students should think about what they want out of their college experiences. They have done some of this already when they were deciding where to apply. Now, they should think about those factors that enticed them to apply in the first place, as well as any new priorities they might have. By thinking about which colleges best meet their needs, students can come closer to making a final decision about where to attend.
Among the factors to consider:
-size
-location/distance from home
-classes
-majors
-special opportunities (study abroad, internships, undergraduate research programs, etc.)
-extracurriculars, sports, Greek life, etc…
-anything else the student considers important about the college experience
Do some homework:
After assessing what they want from their college experience, students should research the schools to find out which schools offer the aspects of the college experience that are most important to them. Check out college websites, the department websites of students’ intended majors, student organization websites, course catalogs, college social media, etc.
In addition to the colleges’ own materials, here are some helpful resources for students to find out more about schools:
Sites that provide the inside scoop from college students:
Sites that are great for digging up data:
Sites that have a little bit of everything:
See the schools in person
If at all possible, students should visit or revisit the colleges that have admitted them. Colleges generally offer events for admitted students, including information sessions as well as opportunities for prospective students to stay in dorms with current students, sit in on classes, etc. Campus visits provide the opportunity for students to speak not only to admissions staff, but current students and faculty as well.
Students should ask thoughtful questions of students and admissions officers based on what they find from their pre-visit research.
Some questions to ask current students:
What do you like most/least about attending?
What do you wish you’d known before you decided to attend?
What are interactions with faculty like?
How well does the university support its students? What sort of support is available?
What is the campus culture like?
Some questions to ask of admissions counselors:
What support does the university offer its students?
What is the school’s retention rate?
What do you think is most unique about campus?
Specific questions about financial aid packages, dorms, faculty, etc.
Keep a record
When students have downtime during the visits or immediately after, they should write down their impressions of the schools, the people they meet, the opportunities they learn about. If their parents go on the visit, too, they can write down observations their children make so that students can refer to them later.
Money matters
Consider financial aid offers and what the student’s family can afford. Students and parents should consult admissions officers if they have questions about financial aid packages.
Compare
Write it down. After thinking through their priorities, researching and visiting the colleges that have admitted them, students may find it helpful to write down pro/con lists of different colleges. Seeing things in writing can help students hone in on which schools they prefer.
Or talk it out. It may also be helpful to discuss their priorities with parents and/or friends. Having a sounding board and someone to ask questions/point out recurring themes (i.e., “you seem to mention this university a lot” or “it sounds like you’d really prefer to go to school on the West coast”) can also help students make their decisions. Parents should be certain that they are really listening to what their children are saying and providing feedback, rather than trying to steer their students to a particular school.
Ultimately, students should choose to attend the college where they feel their experiences will best match their priorities and where they will have access to the opportunities that are most important to them.
Remember: fit is key
In the end, students (and their parents) should remember that there are no “wrong” college choices. Students have already done considerable research and decision-making in the process of deciding where to apply. The best college choice for a student is where s/he feels comfortable and can grow intellectually and personally. Students may be comforted to know that this can occur wherever they attend, since the college experience depends so heavily on what a student puts into it.
