Choosing a college isn’t easy. But, it’s kind of a big deal. After all, you’re going to spend four (maybe five, maybe even six) years there. What you learn will help launch you into a career, which will enable you to buy food, rent an apartment, purchase tickets to the movie you’re going to take your date, buy a dog, get a promotion, get married, go on vacation, have some kids … OK, you get the point.
But, how do you choose? There are many tips out there to help you. We have compiled several from U.S. News & World Report and the education blog from The New York Times:
Revisit your short list
If you’ve been accepted to more than one school, hooray for you. But now you need to pick one. Take another look at that list and start comparing the schools to each other to see which one comes out on top.
Make sure all of your questions are answered
Write down your remaining questions and take them with you when you visit the campus, whether it’s the first time you’re visiting or a subsequent trip. You don’t want to have any unanswered questions when you send in your deposit.
Keep your future career in mind
Even if you’re not sure what you want to know, you should have an idea of what you’re good (and not so good) at. Look at each school and figure out which one will be the best to help you get where you want to be in four years.
Don’t focus only on the numbers
When it comes to college, there are lots of numbers out there: Graduation rates, student satisfaction survey results, rankings, etc. While this is all good information to know, the most important thing to know is your needs and what you want from a school. The rest looks good on paper, but it’s no guarantee that you’ll be happy or successful there.
Don’t over analyze
Of course you need to weigh all of the information you’ll be getting. But instinct has a say in the decision-making process as well. If a school looks on the surface, but you just don’t feel right while you’re on a visit, it may not be the best place for you.
Good luck.
Preparing for College -- No Need to Panic 