Dear College-bound Student, 

With students currently applying to different colleges, everyone has butterflies as they await their acceptance or rejection from potential schools. However, once students do receive acceptance letters, they must decide which college to attend. When choosing which college to attend, several factors should be considered: location, available majors and minors, atmosphere, and cost, among others.

Location

Where your college is located is a good place to start when thinking about which college to attend. Do you want to stay in-state, or venture out? How close to home do you want to be? Are there any cities you have always wanted to live in? Asking yourself these questions will help you get a better idea of what you want out of your college years. Additionally, in-state colleges will be less expensive, but stepping out of your comfort zone and living in a different state or country could provide you with a thrilling experience. Going to college out of state forces you to meet new people in an unfamiliar environment, which can be too overwhelming for some and ideal for others. No matter what you choose, it’s up to you to decide which experience you want. 

Available Majors and Minors

Another aspect to pay attention to when choosing a college is to see what majors and minors are offered. Oftentimes students may focus on whether or not they like the campus or if they will be accepted, and don’t pay attention to the available courses. Remember: it’s perfectly fine to not know what you want to major in or do with your life, but still pay attention to the programs at a given school because having several options can allow you to have a degree of flexibility. With that being said, if you do have an idea of what you want to do as a career, figure out what majors will suit you best in those endeavors and research which school has the best program for you personally. 

Atmosphere

Although atmosphere is one of the lesser important factors on this list when it comes to choosing a school, it still plays a role in your college experience. Since you will be spending a solid chunk of time at a given campus, it’s valuable to you to visit your campus of interest and to see what your day-to-day might look like. As you make a list of colleges, consider the extracurricular activities offered. If one campus has more extracurriculars that are of a greater interest to you, maybe you will choose it over another that has less. 

Cost

One of the most imperative factors to consider when choosing a college is the cost. This is another aspect that will be crucial in deciding whether to attend a school or not. Are you able to afford the colleges you have been accepted to? Are you eligible for financial aid? These are questions to ask yourself and discuss with your parents and, or, counselor when determining which campus to study at.  Be sure to keep an eye out for any scholarships you may be eligible for as well. Student debt is a substantial financial burden to take on, but it can be lessened depending on how you go about payment. Consider taking a year or two to attend a community college to save money, where you then can transfer to a larger campus for the “college experience”. Either way, it is best to devise a plan that will help you reach a balance between finances and a well-suited college.

If you are still feeling lost and confused about where you want to go to college, consider setting up a meeting with your counselor once you have knowledge of which schools you have been accepted to. With that information, talk with your parents and your counselor, and make a list of your own criteria to determine which college will be the best fit for you. 

Sincerely, Erin