Picking where you want to continue your education can be extremely difficult and stressful. If you plan on going away to school, this should be your home away from home.
I applied to thirteen colleges and was accepted to all of them, so my choices weren't narrowed from any rejections. How do I choose between so many schools? First, I visited most of them. As soon as you step foot on campus, you'll instantly feel whether or not you love it. You want to feel like you are at home when you are at school, because if you're miserable, you wouldn't be doing as well in your classes as you'd like and you'll always want to go home.
Ask about campus involvement opportunities and make sure you ask about the commuter rate. You don't want to be somewhere where everyone goes home on the weekends or no one lives on campus. Ask about Greek life, intramural sports, clubs, and other opportunities to be involved. You'll be bored out of your mind or you'll end up going home every weekend just like everyone else.
Is it affordable? Is the money you're paying for that exact school worth it? My dream school was Drexel University in Philadelphia. I was accepted and I thought that's where I was heading, but it was almost $70k per year to attend, and I wasn't sent a financial aid package. I would have to pay full price to attend this school. However, I am attending West Virginia Wesleyan College but am only paying a third of what Drexel costs. And I love this school, everything about it is awesome and am super happy with my decision. Money plays a major role in choosing what school you want to attend. Do you want to live in student debt for the rest of your life? Or do you want to get on with your life as soon as you graduate?
What is the percentage of grad school acceptances? What percent of students get a job right out of college? You definitely want to go somewhere that is known for their alumni to excel as soon as they graduate. What good does that degree serve you if you cannot do anything with it? You're paying for this degree, might as well be able to put it to some use.
How far are you willing to travel for school? Stay in state? Across the country? Or are you thinking about commuting? This is important because if you want to come home often, you probably shouldn't go somewhere you have to fly to.
Keep in mind that you don't have to go somewhere your friends are going, I went somewhere I didn't know anyone at all. Sometimes it's a good thing to go in with a clean slate and a fresh start. Some people need their person with them at school, just do what you think you need and what's best.
Picking out your college is going to be stressful, but you will be relieved when you finally decide where you will be continuing your education. Keep all of these aspects in the back of your mind when choosing. Don't pick somewhere just because the parties are cool or the apparel is cute.
