At this point, you only have a few more weeks until the May 1st deposit day and I know that some of you are still hemming and hawing, trying to make your final decision on which college you will attend in the fall. Here we’ll share some helpful tips with you that will hopefully make that decision easier and more effective.
Know yourself and what you really want: Go back and review your college goals that you had back in the fall when you were getting ready to apply to school. Are they still the same? Why do you want to go to college? What major are you considering? What are your tentative career goals? Has the answer to these questions changed at all since you applied? Look to your college list and think about which college will fit best to fulfill your goals and will fit with your personality.
Reconsider distance: Seriously weigh the pros and cons of attending college close by, far away, or somewhere in between. Can you get there by car or is it a train ride or a plane ride away? Consider whether proximity to home is worth the risk of attending a school that may not be the best fit for you. Think about optimum distance: somewhere that’s close enough so it’s easy to get home for holidays or for a weekend here and there. Keep in mind, it can get expensive to purchase an airline ticket every time you want or need to go home.
Review your finances: Sit down with your parents and take a careful look at your finances. Compare your financial aid packages from each college. Things to consider:
- Total amount you or your parents are expected to pay at each college (difference between the amount of aid and the cost of the college)
- Proportion of loans vs. grants/scholarships
- Overlooked costs: travel, living expenses, books, etc.
Your goal is to discover which college(s) is more affordable. Are there financial or other circumstances that may affect your decision?
Rank your priorities: Make an extensive list of pros and cons. Identify several aspects of college life and numerically rank each by importance to you. Examples include: cost, size, location, majors offered, study abroad, sororities/fraternities, housing, food/dining options, surrounding community, athletics, career services, academic advising and support, extracurriculars, co-op/internship opportunities, etc.
Compare academic programs: If you have a designated major or area of study, find out how similar programs at different colleges compare. Are the programs accredited? Compare requirements for the specific major at the different colleges. Compare sizes of the departments. Are the courses more theoretical or hands-on? Do the courses leave time for other things you’re interested in (study abroad, internships, etc) Are there enough faculty members in the department and how accessible are they?
Revisit: Even if you’ve visited before, visit again. This is a MUST. Consider doing an overnight visit, this can give you some serious insight into what it will really be like to attend that college. You may look at the school differently once you know you’re in. Attend classes and talk to professors. Eat in the dining hall. Make a list of 10-15 additional, in-depth questions for your trip. You should have no unanswered questions. Reach out directly to faculty members in your field of study and talk to current students and other people on campus. Don’t be afraid to ask direct questions.
Employment / Post Grad: Are faculty members still actively engaged with employers in a given field? This can open doors to internships, research opportunities, & jobs. Does the campus have a strong career services center? Ask about job fairs, on-campus interviews, ratio of student to career counselor. How often can you get into the career center to talk to someone? Visit CollegeResults.Org – they provide data on retention rate, graduation rate, and transfer rate.
Waitlisted? The college may not make you an offer until after the May 1 decision deadline, so you need to decide whether or not to stay on the wait list. Only stay on the list if you are truly interested in that college. Find out whether there are any conditions to the wait list (ex. fewer housing and financial aid options). Even if you remain on the list, prepare to attend another college. Choose the best fit from the colleges you’ve been accepted, fill out the paperwork, and send in your deposit. You’ll forfeit the deposit if the college that waitlisted you offers you a place and you decide to accept (about 28% of students are accepted off of the wait-list). If you do decide to stay on the waitlist, continue to be proactive. Contact the admission office to find out if the college ranks wait-listed students or has a priority list. Write a letter to the admission office. It’s time to mention any additional information. Have your grades gone up? Have you received any awards or accolades since you’ve applied? They need to know. Emphasize your strong desire to attend and make a case why it’s a good fit. Study hard. You will most likely be reevaluated based on your third and fourth quarter grades. Stay involved. Show that you’re committed to sports, clubs, and other activities. Request another (or first) interview. Reconsider the colleges that accepted you.
Trust your instincts: Chances are, if you’re having a tough time deciding, you would probably be happy at any of the colleges you applied to. In the end, go with your gut instinct. Don’t procrastinate. Even if you didn’t get into your first choice or your dream school, there is no one perfect college. You can be happy at a variety of schools.
Any additional tips to share? Leave your comments!
About Smart Track™ Toolkit: The toolkit is a web based service that assists families with everything from admissions and test prep, to student athletics and financial aid. Our intuitive software and on-demand workshops are key components to making sure students find their top choice colleges, and families can afford to send them there.
About the author: Laura Guarino is the Student Services Coordinator with the College Resource Center, LLC. Laura has a degree in Human Development from Boston College
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