Tips to Help You Make Your Final College Decision
While there are some of you that have already chosen which college you will be attending in the fall, have sent in your enrollment deposit and are in the midst of picking out the accessories that will make your dorm room seem more like “home”, many high school seniors are in the process of weeding through their options. You still have a couple of weeks before that all-important May 1 deadline, so go ahead and weigh the pros and cons at each school! There are lots of factors to consider, and you have to make the choice that is best for you (and that should be made up of various considerations such as academic work you will do, how much the school will cost financially, if the social atmosphere of the school is everything you want it to be, etc.)
In my online travels, I have come across an article from U.S. News & World Report that I think will help give you insight into a somewhat overwhelming decision-making process. Read about why you may want to make another trip to visit some of the college campuses and ways to maximize your time there in order to help you make your final decision. While a good portion of your decision will be based on your gut leading you in a certain direction, it is important to have evidence to support your decision.
If you have already made your decision, what helped you decide? If you are still narrowing your choices down, what are you considering as you weigh your options?
Best of luck as you navigate these next few weeks,
Val
Val, this was a great article and it couldn't have come at a better time! It is so hard to decide between my schools! I think visiting again could really make a difference. I am going to give my schools a call!
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I am so excited cuz I just made my decision and what helped was attending the admitted student day...it was so great to meet all the other students...it really made me "picture" myself there... i think everyone should try to see their school choice one more time if they can!
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Thanks for this post, Val. I am trying to decide between 2 schools - and this weekend my parents and I went to one of the schools and just walked around to see what the campus was like on a weekend. We walked through the dining commons, went to the athletic fields, and stuff like that. I learned alot, but it's just such a big decision!
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Great job Val! I truly enjoyed your blog. I remember struggling with choosing a college and feeling the pressures of making that final decision. I remember talking about the financial responsibility with my parents and going to see the school again as well. Thanks for an informative piece, well done!!
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Great points, the second visit to the school is what helped me decide between my top choices. When I went, I just hung out in the quad for an hour and tried to get a feel for the campus and that is what helped me the most!
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A lot of schools will also let you stay overnight with a student, go to classes, and eat in the dining hall. This is a great way to get a sense of if you will fit at the school. Just call admissions to see if they allow this at the schools you are interested in!
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I think it is important to visit on a weekend. I plan to go to school pretty far away from home and some of the schools really empty out on the weekends. It was good to visit my first choice one last time and see everything that would be available for me on weekends and even to start asking questions about when I might be able to look for a work study job, now that I know I'm eligible for work study!
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Great tips for choosing the right school! I agree- the second visit is extremely important...
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