Navigation Menu
  • Colleges
    • Get Matched To Colleges
    • Explore All Colleges
    • Colleges By State
    • Online Colleges
    • Review a College
  • Scholarships
    • Explore College Scholarships
    • Scholarship Match
    • Unigo Scholarships
    • $10K Scholarship
    • Unigo Scholarship Winners
  • Easy Scholarships
  • Unigo Scholarships
  • Student Loans
  • Articles
    • All Articles
    • Expert Admissions Advice
    • Get Ready for College
    • How to Pay for College
    • In College Tips
  • Log In
  • My Account
    • My Scholarship Match
    • My Saved Scholarships
    • My College Match
    • My Account
    • Log out
  • Sign Up!
  • Home
  • pay for college
  • scholarship
  • how to decide which college is right for you

How to Decide Which College is Right for You

Posted byUnigo Staff May 29, 2015
By tamara College ChoiceOver the next few weeks, most high school seniors will learn their fate as college acceptance (and rejection) letters start to arrive. For some students, the choice will be an easy one, especially if they are accepted by their first choice school or only receive one acceptance letter. For the majority of students, however, deciding where to go next fall many be a little more complicated. The choices made over the next few months will be very important and could have a direct impact on the direction students take over the next few years. Much thought and consideration should go into the college decision process, so it’s important that students use both their hearts and their minds when making a final choice. Here are a few things students should consider when choosing their college.

IMPORTANT

Academics: Students should review the course catalog and speak with admissions officers to verify their major (or anticipated major) is offered at the college where they ultimately intend to enroll. Some students may not have chosen a major during the application process, but may now have a narrower focus for their anticipated choice of career. Students should also consider which minors and elective courses are offered, especially if they have an interest in a subject that may not be offered at some colleges. Campus LifePersonal Needs: Students could be spending the next four or more years at their chosen college, so the campus culture and student population should definitely factor into the decision. If students prefer milder temperatures and a more laid back atmosphere, enrolling in a highly competitive school in the Northeast may not be the best idea. Those who prefer a more intimate teaching environment may want to focus on smaller schools or even consider starting at a community college. Looking at all the factors, including learning style, social, political and spiritual needs, will ensure students make an informed decision. Finances: Students will find that colleges offer vastly different financial aid packages, so comparing the offers side-by-side may help in making a final decision. Students should consider all costs, including travel, meals, housing, tuition, fees, books and more. Once students know the total cost of attendance, they can factor in any financial aid that may have been offered and determine what out-of-pocket expenses they will need to cover. Although it may seem like a good idea to take out student loans, students should think carefully about the amount of debt they will incur (and how long it will take to pay off) before committing to any school.

LESS IMPORTANT

School Teams: Many students fall in love with a college because they have grown up following a team on television. Even if the college has a stadium full of national championship pennants, it’s definitely not a good enough reason for students to make that college their home, unless they are actually playing on the team. Love LifeSignificant Other: All too often, students make the hasty decision of enrolling at a college simply because their boyfriend or girlfriend attends the same school. In all honesty, attending the same college will not ensure their relationship endures. Instead, it may cause students to hold back from exploring other opportunities, meeting new people and trying new things. If the relationship fails (and it usually does), it may become a very uncomfortable situation for everyone involved. Family Ties: Parents can often place extreme pressure on students to attend their alma mater, which can be unfair to students. Those who are not interested in carrying on the family tradition should make a point of speaking with their parents to explain their decision and what they feel is best for them. It may not be a pleasant conversation, but students should have the right to attend a college that best suits their needs. Students may find that the best way to decide where they will put down roots this fall is by taking a visit to (or revisiting) the campuses on their ‘accepted’ list. If possible, students should sit in on some classes, shadow a current student, and spend time exploring the campus to get a better picture of how they might fit in. Students should also keep in mind that their decision may have consequences, such as loss of financial support, especially if a parent is expecting a different outcome. Ultimately, students have the final say on where they will enroll, but that decision should not be made too quickly. Students should take the time to consider all options before saying ‘yes’ to a campus.

Post navigation

Previous Post Previous post:
Scholarships for Non-Traditional Students
Next Post Next post:
Tools to Teach Your Child How to Save Money

Scholarships

  • Athletic Scholarships
  • College-Specific Scholarships
  • Company-Sponsored Scholarships
  • Grants for College
  • Merit-Based Scholarships
  • Minority Scholarships
  • Our Scholarships
  • Scholarship Contests & Sweepstakes
  • Scholarships By Major
  • Scholarships By State
  • Scholarships By Type
  • Scholarships For Graduate Students
  • Scholarships For High School Students
  • Scholarships For Undergraduate Students
  • Weird Scholarships
Unigo Scholarship Database

© 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Scholarship Providers
  • Add a Scholarship
  • Expedite My Scholarship
  • Promote My Scholarship
  • Start a Scholarship
Resources
  • Job Board
  • Student Deals
  • For Parents
  • For Counselors
TAKE ACTION
  • Review A College
  • College Match
  • Scholarship Match
  • Find a Loan
Social
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. The information on this site is for informational and research purposes only and is not an assurance of financial aid.

Privacy Policy   |    Terms of Use   |    FAQs   |    About Us   |    Disclosure: “What Determines Top/Best?”    |    Do Not Sell My Personal Information (CA and NV residents)

Disclosure: EducationDynamics receive compensation for the featured schools on our websites (see “Sponsored Schools” or “Sponsored Listings” or “Sponsored Results”). So what does this mean for you? Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking. Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study. By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school.

The sources for school statistics and data is the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

This is an offer for educational opportunities that may lead to employment and not an offer for nor a guarantee of employment. Students should consult with a representative from the school they select to learn more about career opportunities in that field. Program outcomes vary according to each institution’s specific program curriculum.

×

Sponsored Meaning Explained

EducationDynamics receives compensation for the featured schools on our websites (see “Sponsored Ad” or “Sponsored Listings” or “Sponsored Results”). So what does this mean for you? Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking. Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study. By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school. Your trust is our priority. We at EducationDynamics believe you should make decisions about your education with confidence. that’s why EducationDynamicsis also proud to offer free information on its websites, which has been used by millions of prospective students to explore their education goals and interests.

close