How To Make The Final Decision Concerning Your College Choice
You probably narrowed down your college choices tremendously during the applications process. However, now that you are faced with a final decision—committing to the college where the next phase of your education will occur—you need to take your decision seriously. So, take the time to review the pros and cons of each school one more time.
How the academic programs and strengths of each college match your particular interests and goals should be high on your list of considerations. When making the final decision, you want to make sure that you are getting the best opportunities in the area in which you hope to develop your expertise. Consider both primary and secondary subjects that interest you, particularly if you are not yet confident that you have selected your final major.
Is there faculty at the school who are highly regarded on a national or international level? Does your particular program have a reputation for graduating students who go on to be successful in their field of study? During your course of study, will there be opportunities for you to work in internship programs or get actual hands-on experience. How do post-graduate job placement and assistance programs work for students who have graduated from your particular college? All of these questions need to be answered, so that you can understand academic programs and strengths accurately.
Do not disregard the extracurricular opportunities offered at each school you are considering. Being able to participate in clubs and events that match your interests will be crucial to your personal satisfaction and well-being as a student. These activities will also be sources for establishing long-term friendships, especially at larger universities, and will give you a feeling of belonging and being a part of the academic community.
For instance, will you be able to continue playing in the marching band for fun, even if you are not in the music department? Does the college have academic clubs in place that match your interests? Are the dorms a hub of social activity? Do individual university housing choices cater to certain cultures or activity preferences? For instance, some larger colleges will have housing that is heavily populated by fine arts majors, science majors, academic high achievers, or some other combination of student population, which will make your transition to college easier, depending on your specific interests.
You need to have a complete understanding of the awards and options available at each college, versus the cost of attending that school. The financial commitment necessary to attend each college may make or break your ability to complete your education there. So, understand the total finances involved when making your final college choice.
You should take time to understand not only the college you choose, but the community in which it resides. A small college in a small town is going to be a different experience for you than a large university in a major metropolitan area. What size city are you comfortable living in? Will you feel stifled by a small town’s lack of restaurant choices and shopping venues, or will you be charmed by small town values and friendliness? Will you feel intimidated by public transportation systems and massive numbers of strangers in a larger community, or will you be exhilarated by all there is to see? These are necessary factors to consider.
Also, determine if your travel near or far from school will be manageable for school breaks and vacations. Is your school located just a short drive from home, or must you take an airplane to get there? Is your potential travel going to make getting home feasible considering your economic situation, or are you going to be alone in your college dorm, when everyone else travels home for the holidays? And, what about your opportunities to attend school while still living at home? Have you considered these options, so that you can address the transition to college easier, both emotionally and financially? Determining the answers to these questions will make your final college choice clearer and more complete.