A lot of college acceptance letters have probably been slowly trickling in for all of you seniors, and if not, they will be soon. Receiving all of these letters can be exciting but making the final decision of where you want to be for the next four years can be harder than you think. There are many factors involved with choosing your home for the next chapter in your life.

Location

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Location is one of the most important factors when choosing your school. First, consider the proximity to your house. Do you want to be close or far away? Another component that can be overlooked is the setting of the school. Are you comfortable living in downtown Atlanta? If not, Georgia State University probably isn't the best place for you. Are you looking for that classic college-town vibe? If you are, UGA would be a perfect place for you.

Size

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The size of a school can be a make or break factor of choosing your college. Large schools can be really intimidating. Socially and mentally. If you choose to attend a 30,000+ student school, you need to be comfortable with being a small fish in a big pond, because not everyone will know you. And if you like being a big fish in a small pond, that is perfectly okay; an SEC school just might not be the best place for you.

Cost

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This is an important decision when choosing your school, especially for your parents. This is where you should consider your public schools and in-state schools so you can save money with in-state tuition. Some states even offer in-state scholarships, like the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarship in Georgia. But, however, although the cost of a school is important, it should not be a make or break factor. The cheapest option is not always the best option. If your dream school is out of state, work on contacting the school about financial aid options and be on the lookout for scholarships. Every little bit of financial aid adds up.

Culture

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The culture of your school is an important factor because you will be a part of it for the next four years. If you love sports and are always looking for something to do, no matter the time of day, look more into your SEC schools. These schools are really big and always have something going on, and chances are you'll find someone you know that wants to go to that late-night waffle breakfast or Disney sing along at the student center. If you're looking for a quieter campus where you can get to know everyone, consider your smaller schools, like Mercer University.

No college campus is the same, just as no person's ideal college experience is the same. As you get closer to making your final decision, remember that YOUR opinion is the most important one. Don't feel pressured to make choose your school based on your friends' opinions, and don't pressure other people as they make their own decisions. Besides, it doesn't matter what school you go to; it matters what you make out of your college experience.