With National College Decision Day quickly approaching, high school seniors are going to have a lot to think about during these next couple of weeks. While many students have already committed to a school, there is an equal amount of people who are still torn on where they’d like to attend. I, for one, did not make my deposit until two days before I needed to. After all, there are so many things you need to take into consideration and it goes far beyond whether you want to stay home or go away.

While taking tours of schools you have been accepted to, it is vital that you do not get distracted by all the beautiful scenery that the guides show you. While the aesthetic of your campus is important, you cannot let it be the only deciding factor of where you choose to go. During the time walking around your potential future school, one of the most fundamental things to observe is the how the people act and what it seems like they’re into.

Can you see yourself surrounded by and creating bonds with some of these students over the next four years? While it is eye-opening and fascinating to expose yourself to an array of ideas, hobbies, etc., you want to make sure there are people like you there too. After all, college isn’t nearly as enjoyable if you have no one to share the experience with. Being the only person on campus with certain views on the world can easily make you feel like an outcast.

Similarly to making sure you do not get distracted by the look of your campus, you want to explore the area off and around it. Whether you are away or home, having a town nearby that has things to do on the weekend plays a huge role in your enjoyment throughout the semester. You can ask a tour guide what they do for fun, look at things nearby on Yelp or look around for yourself before you make a decision.

Of course, you need to look at the academics of the school as well. This may seem obvious;
however, some people fail to make sure there is a wide selection of majors at the school they want to go to, if they feel like they already know what they want to do with their lives. The truth is, it is possible that you will change your mind and you need to make sure you have backup options if you do. Check to make sure they have something you may be interested in exploring should this happen. And clearly, this is just as necessary to do if you are undecided about what path you wish to take with your life.

Finally, if you get your schools down to two selections and keep going back and forth between them, cost may ultimately decide where you should go. If you love a school that has fallen way out of your price range, you may want to go for the school that you love a little less, but has offered you a generous scholarship. Trust me, your future self will thank you for avoiding extra student debt.

Obviously, these are not the only things you should be pondering when coming to a final conclusion, but they are definitely all crucial. If you are a high school senior, take these ideas and mix them in with what matters to you as an individual. It is a big decision, but taking it step by step can make the process slightly less stressful.

Congratulations and good luck Class of 2016!