April of senior year marks the peak of excitement for nearly every high school student. College decisions are out, and you’re done waiting for acceptance letters, facing rejection, and scrolling through annoying college acceptance Facebook statuses. You’ve finally reached the point where you decide. There are many factors that should be considered when picking your college— but what are they?
1. Majors offered. If you know what bachelor’s degree you’re aiming to achieve, it would be wise to make sure that a college offers a curriculum (and degree, of course) for that topic. However, unless you’ve dreamed of studying some obscure subject since the first day of kindergarten, this should definitely not be your deciding factor. Very few people graduate with the major that they bubbled in on their college applications, so keep your options open. Personally, I’ve learned a lot about myself and my own academic interests since my senior year of high school. And though I’d consider myself a particularly indecisive person, I know that had I chosen my major four years ago, I would not have picked the environmental science degree that I am so pleased with today.
2. Public university or private school? While public schools are cheaper and often offer a world-class education, many private schools provide students with more attention and guidance throughout their college careers. Consider this in conjunction with your own academic tendencies and educational needs when making final decisions about your school.
3. Distance from home. I always envisioned college as the point in my life where I would no longer need, or even want, to go home. However, I coincidentally ended up a short, cheap, 45-minute plane ride away from the city where my parents live, affording me the luxury of flying home for the weekend, if I so chose. If you’re a homebody, don’t stray too far.
4. Academic calendar. Unlike high schools, different colleges are set on different educational systems. Most schools follow the typical semester system, while several schools go by the quarter system. The quarter system starts and ends later than the semester, and squeezes three quarters into the timespan of two semesters. The ten-week quarters fly by quickly, so consider your learning style when matching yourself with a university.
Of course, my list of criteria does not fully encompass every important aspect to ensure that you chose the best college for yourself. Each person has their own set of needs to maximize the benefits of his or her university experience. Think about the things that matter to you and draw up your own list before weighing out the pros and cons of your school options.
