As the last of the college decisions come out, many seniors have to decide where they want to be for the next four years. Maybe you have a school that you’re set on, possibly even committed to, or maybe you have zero idea where you want to go.
No matter what stage of this journey you’re in, know that there are many others alongside you. It can be very daunting to choose where to go to school, as there are several factors to account for and a lot of uncertainty that comes with them. The important thing is that you pick the school that makes sense for you.
As you evaluate your options, try to focus solely on what you and your family think of the school, not what your classmates think of it. Look for a school where you can see yourself happily living and learning in the near future.
Start by asking yourself some general questions: Do you like the campus, are you aware of routine weather conditions, do you admire the program they have for your chosen major, do the social opportunities appeal to you, and can you and/or your parents comfortably commit to the cost of the school?
If you don’t have positive answers to these questions, perhaps that school isn’t for you; that’s okay! Going to a school that you’ll be happy at is very important. Senior Gavin Gardner, after committing to Chapman University, said, “It’s been my dream school since freshman year, and when I toured it I just felt like the area was really nice and I love the campus. It was everything I was looking for in a school and then some, and the opportunities I would get there would be incredible for the future that I want to pursue.”
Senior Raina Gopalan said, “I was looking for a college with a good social scene since I’m looking forward to meeting new people.”
If you are still stuck on which school to choose, try talking to current students at that school and see what life there has been like. Most schools have resources that easily allow prospective students to chat with current ones. Use this information to guide you, not define your decision.
In the end, it doesn’t matter how many schools you applied to, how hard they were to get into, or what other people’s perception of your school or your major is. Don’t choose a school you don’t like just because it has a lower acceptance rate. Choose the one that you will be happy at for the next important years of your life.
