Deciding where to go to college is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. With the admissions process becoming more cut-throat with each passing year, this can be a decision filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Juniors and seniors in high school are not expected to know their career paths, but they should have an idea as to what they want to study. There are many other factors to consider as you begin thinking about the next step in your education. Location, cost, makeup of student body, course offerings, and extracurricular activities are all important aspects of any college that you should look into before making this critical, life-changing decision.
The total cost of college is often, unfortunately, a major factor for any prospective student to consider before making a commitment to a school. Tuition costs are increasing each year and you also have to add the cost of room and board if you are going to live on or near campus. Attending community college or going to a state school in your own state are steps you can take to keep costs down. If finances are an issue, look into taking courses online as you can sometimes just pay by the class. However, if you are looking to go to a private college or if you want to go out of state, you must look into financial aid and scholarships available through the school you are hoping to attend.
Location, location, location. As you weigh your decision about where to go to college, you need to think about the actual geographical location of the schools on your wish list. Some people like being close to home (makes for easy trips home, many of your friends may still be in the area), while other students are looking to make a fresh start and want to go far from home. Be sure to visit the schools to which you are applying. Take the campus tours. Arrange to stay with a student overnight so you can get a better feel for the environment around the campus. You want to make sure that you are going to be comfortable at whatever school you choose.
Find out about the student body at the colleges you are considering. Many colleges will provide profiles of their students. You can easily learn about the diversity of a school by actually talking to current students. The actual students at a school are your best resource for any questions you have as you continue the decision-making process. They will give you information beyond what you can find from a school’s website or from an admissions officer. This is an important decision so you should pursue all your resources to make the best call for you as a student and as a young adult.