Accepted? How to Choose the Right College

If you’re one of the many high school seniors who applied to several colleges and got accepted to most of them, then you have a difficult decision ahead of you: how to choose the college that’s right for you.

But first, congratulations! The daunting application process has paid off, and now you can relax – sort of.

These colleges may have chosen you, but how do you choose a college? If you have no particular favorite in mind, then you have a little more work to do (sorry!). Luckily, we have some advice on how to choose the right college out of all those terrific options:

1. Return to each campus.

Take another tour, attend another informational meeting, ask more college visit questions and meet more students. Pay attention to how you feel on the campus now that you know you’re accepted, and whether or not you can see yourself meshing with the social setting on campus. Many colleges even offer prospective students the chance to do overnight college visits, which let you experience sleeping in a dorm, visiting what’s off-campus or even attending courses.

2. Double-check each college’s majors and requirements.

It has been a long time since you sent in your applications. You may have liked one college more than another back in the fall, but what about now? Consider what you want from your college academics now, and which college matches your goals closest. Get these questions answered (for the second time, if necessary):

• Would one college be able to accommodate your interests more than another?
• Is one college more flexible about changing majors, double-majoring, or letting you take a variety of classes?
• What majors does each college specialize in?
• How attentive is the faculty?
• How big are the classes?

3. Compare financial aid packages.

Talk to your parents about how to choose the right college based on financial feasibility. What has each college offered you in terms of financial aid or scholarships? Are there work-study options? Feel free to contact each college’s financial aid office for more information, but go in informed.

4. Think about it.

Really think about how to choose the right college by answering these questions:

• Where can you see yourself getting the most out of your courses?
• Where can you see yourself living, working and eating for 4 years?
• Where can you see yourself feeling comfortable on campus?
• Where can you see yourself making the greatest friends?
• Where can you see yourself being happiest?

I know everyone has said this to you already, but college truly is the greatest time of your life. How to choose the right college depends on you and your values, so consider carefully and choose wisely — because transferring is a hassle!

Source:

http://www.universitylanguage.com