How to Decide Which College to Attend.. You are now in the Drivers Seat

The long wait is finally over and you have heard from all the colleges on your list. Deciding which one to choose may seem like a daunting task, but if you break your decision down and focus on the ultimate goal, graduation and life after college, deciding which college to attend becomes more easily attainable.

Now you need to focus on what each college can do for you while a student. It is usually very helpful to create a pros and cons list. Create a list that is personalized to your priorities. List factors that you deem important and see how each school stacks up.

Some suggestions for the list are:

-Retention effort What is the school doing to ensure you complete your degree and graduate?

-Will you graduate on time? What is the average length of time it takes for a student in your major to graduate?

-There is a huge cost difference if a school can offer you a degree in 4 years versus five years, and you should know this information before you commit to a particular college.

The employment rates for graduates in your major. Does your major require a graduate degree?

-Career services available to you. What quality of services are available to students who are looking for full time employment?

-Internship opportunities. Does the school offer relevant experience in your field of interest, especially when you are trying to get a job?

-Safety on campus. What types of safety measures/systems does the college have in place?

-Academic services. The type of supportive services the college offers and the level of service provided tells you something about how much they care about and want their students to succeed.

-Average debt upon graduation. You need a handle on this very important information.

-Does the college environment suit you? Revisit the colleges on your list, at least the top three, to determine which school “feels” right to you. You will look at a school very differently once you have been accepted and are considering attending. If possible, visit with the professors in your major to determine how well you fit into the academic environment at that school. Listen to you "gut feeling."

-Relying only on the college’s reputation. Just because it is a “highly-ranked” or “prestigious” school doesn’t mean it is the right school for you. Don’t assume the difficulty of getting into the school equates with the quality of education you will receive. Some students need smaller classes and more one-on-one interaction to thrive in a learning environment.

-The legacy lure. Just because your parents, grandparents or other family members attended a college doesn’t make the school a good fit for you. It is always better to find a school that is the best fit for your personality.

-Urban vs rural campus can be a deciding factor about attending a school and the experience had while in college. Some students need and benefit from an urban campus where they can go into a city and do other things, things not offered on campus. These students prefer to not be completely immersed in college life. If you attend college in a college town, and that is all there is, you need to be okay with that. Think of how many plane rides it will take you to return home?

-When you start thinking about what is important to you, you are sure to develop a strong list to help you in the selection process. Once you weigh all the factors your decision will be easier to make, and one you will be happy with. LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION.

The Happy Dilemma: How to Decide Which College to Attend?

Every March thousands of high school seniors anxiously wait for acceptance notices from the colleges to which they applied. Once all the acceptance notices are in, most have multiple choices. There is no magic formula to help make the decision easy, but there are some things you can do to help make the process of deciding less daunting.

Cost. A student’s actual expenses can vary based on their residency, academic level, major or program of study, living situation and lifestyle. The published cost of attendance is an estimated average, not a price tag.

Weigh the financial aid package offered by each institution. College A may be the first-choice school but offers significantly less money than college B. Negotiate with college A – many times a college will increase its offer in order to entice a student to attend.

Compute the cost of a four-year undergraduate education from each college on the accepted list. Determine how much money will be paid directly out of pocket, how much money needs to be paid back after graduation, and who is responsible for the loan, the parents or the student.

A frank and honest discussion needs to be conducted to weigh the financial reality of the cost of attending each college.

Consideration also needs to be given to the education level required for your teen’s chosen profession. If a graduate degree is needed, it should enter into the discussion now. Some families will pay for an undergraduate degree but not for a graduate degree. Others prefer to pay for both with a cap on the overall amount paid. Again, a frank discussion with your teen is needed. By putting all the “cards on the table” now, you are allowing your teen to take ownership of his or her future and be part of the decision-making process.

Think through the “soft costs” associated with each college before making the final decision. They can add an additional 10-15% each year. These costs can include:

Transportation cost. Can your teen drive or take a train vs. taking an airplane to/from college?

The cost of purchasing appropriate winter clothing if needed.

The cost of storing items over the summer if the campus is not close enough to transport items back and forth.

Will your teen be able to come home easily for major holidays or family functions? If not, how will s/he feel about missing these events?

It may come down to what “feels” right for the student. Many times it is the small intangible things that make a college seems a better fit.

Go back and visit the top three or four schools that are most appealing. To help formulate your decision, let your teen take another look at each campus, the dorms, the education available in his or her major, the honors program if admitted, clubs and/or sports offered for participation as a consumer.

Finally, listen to your teen’s “gut.” It usually speaks volumes.