Now You’re In – Which College Do You Choose?

Congratulations! Your child has weathered the storm of high school GPAs, standardized tests, and college applications and has been accepted to a handful of schools, but now comes the final challenge: deciding which one to attend. There are several key factors to consider when making this decision, and we have outlined them below.

Locations

Where does your student want to live after college? Some soon-to-be high school graduates already have an idea of where they want to live as adults, and earning their undergraduate degrees in that specific city/region will increase their chances of finding gainful employment in that location.

What if they don’t know where they want to live? That’s okay! Even if post-graduate plans are up in the air, there are plenty of variables to consider when it comes to college location. Would your child prefer to live in a city or in the suburbs? In a warm or a cold climate? Near the ocean, mountains, countryside, etc.? Answering even a couple of these questions can help narrow down his or her options.

School Size

School size has an enormous impact on both the social and academic college experiences. Large schools often participate in Division 1 sports, which beyond being exciting in and of itself, creates an atmosphere of school spirit and pride. They have hundreds of clubs and organizations to join as well, however it can be easy for an individual to feel lost amongst the masses. Smaller schools, on the other hand, may lack the large-scale school spirit of big schools, but a student may have an easier time finding a sense of community within the smaller population.

With regard to the academic experience, large universities often have seemingly endless resources and programs at each student’s disposal, which can promote diverse academic experiences. At the same time, however, it can be difficult for an individual to foster personal relationships with professors or other faculty in classes with 300+ students. Smaller schools may not always have the same amount of resources as larger ones, but their smaller average class sizes can be used to a student’s advantage.

Area of Study

Does your student know what he or she wants to study? If so, he or she might want to choose the school with the best program in that field. Additionally, students may want to consider whether the city in which they attend college has a large job market in the industry they want to work in. This will certainly increase employment prospects after graduation.

Competitiveness

Although this is more common in graduate schools, some colleges and universities have a reputation for being more academically competitive and rigorous than others. Sometimes this can do a disservice to the emotional well-being of some students. If your student thrives in a more cooperative environment, it may be wise to avoid attending a school that is known for being overly-competitive. Take into account knowing your student and the environment in which he or she will thrive.

Social Life

A hallmark of the college experience is the social life that accompanies being a student. Fraternities and sororities are often the most accessible social clubs on any campus, so if your child wants to “go Greek,” he or she should research the Greek life at each school he or she is considering. That being said, there are always other avenues to create a meaningful social life in college. Clubs and intramural sports are always popular, and student government is a great way to get involved. Many schools also host activity fairs at the beginning of the year to help students find clubs and organizations they would like to join.

The immediate area surrounding the campus also has an impact on the social experience. Do the fraternities and sororities have their own houses? Where can students go to hang out? Is the campus in the middle of a residential neighborhood or are there bars, restaurants, stores, etc. near the school?

Some schools are just more social than others, and a little research can easily help your student find a school with a social scene that suits him or her the most.

Financial Commitment

College is expensive. Even scholarships and need-based financial aid do not always cover the entire cost of tuition and living expenses for over four years. Public schools tend to be less expensive than private schools, and in-state public schools tend to be less expensive than out-of-state public schools. Beyond tuition, some schools are located in areas with higher costs of living than others, and this should be taken into consideration as well. Student loans are a huge commitment, and any opportunity to minimize how much debt your child will have to go into in order to attend college should be seriously considered.

Putting It All Together

There are plenty of things to consider when deciding which school to attend, and doing the research can seem overwhelming. Some of the most effective ways to answer your questions are to use the schools’ websites, speak to someone in the administration, attend admitted student days, take a tour of each campus, and find an opportunity for your child to have one-on-one time with current students to ask questions and get a real feel for college life. The schools and students know how daunting the process can be, and they are more than willing to lend a helping hand as your student decides where to attend.