It’s that momentous time of your life -- second semester senior year. You are hearing back from many colleges, and anxiously awaiting future letters. If you got into all of the colleges you applied to, or only two, you still have to make a decision. Where do you want to spend the next four years of your life? There are a lot of factors that go into it such as financial aid, academic programs, sports, and location, but these don’t always narrow your decision to one school. Very few people only have their heart set on one place, and sometimes even they change their mind at the last minute. There are some things you come to realize about your decision only after you attend the school for a little while. So, for anyone who isn’t in college yet and is still deciding, here are a few things to keep in mind that go beyond the general criteria.
When you visit the campus interact with as many students as you can.
Even if you love the school’s academics and the aesthetic of the campus, the students are what are most important. Go beyond asking the general questions such as “How is the social or party life?” or “What is the Greek life like?”. It doesn’t matter if the college has the best social scene out of all of them, it’s the people involved that makes a huge difference. By talking to many students you can get a feel for the attitude on campus. If you have a friend who goes there, have them take you to an event or introduce you to all their friends. Obviously each student is different, but getting to know a few will help. You may find the students different than you expected or just not on the same page as you. I certainly experienced this when touring, and consequently changed my mind about my top school choice.
Sit in on a class if possible.
I never got to do this, but I wish I did. Many of my friends at my college took advantage of the opportunity, and by physically sitting in a classroom, they got to picture themselves in class at each college. They also got to see the dynamics of the class, such as the size, the discussions held, the professor’s way of teaching or the structure of the lecture. When I'm in class now, I've seen a few potential students sit in with us and they really seem to be having a great experience. Some of them even got involved in the discussion between the professor and the class.
Don’t factor in where your friends are going to college.
I know it’s a hard time for you, especially thinking about leaving your best friends in high school. The thought of being in college together may seem very comforting and exciting but just because it’s the college for them doesn’t mean it’s for you. I decided to leave all my friends and go out of state far away, when many of them stayed in state. Of course, I miss them a lot, but if I decided to stay closer to them I wouldn't have gone to my dream college. So please keep this in mind, no matter how difficult it is. You can always visit them!
Close your eyes and imagine yourself in college for a moment. Where are you?
This may sound really cheesy, but it worked for me. Every time I thought of college, I only saw myself on one campus walking around. I am now as happy as I can be at my college. If you don’t see yourself on one campus, maybe you will see certain buildings or memories of your tour of a particular college. Sometimes this helps think beyond the conscious thoughts and facts of choosing a college.
