Choosing where to go to college and spend the next chapter of your life can be a terrifying decision, or at least it was for me when I was a high school senior. It seemed like there were so many options, and I did not want to make the wrong decision and regret it. Now, as a college senior who is thankful every day that I made the right decision, I think back to what went through my mind that led me to find the perfect fit.
Here are the top five things to help you decide which college is the perfect fit for you as well as how I used these points to find my home for the next few years:
1. Price/Scholarships
It is no secret that going to college can come with a big price tag, so one of the first things to look for is the cost of attendance and what scholarships are available. You want to make sure that the colleges you are looking into are affordable for you, but also keep in mind that the “sticker price” isn’t always what you will pay. Most colleges offer financial aid and scholarship packages to help you, so keep that in mind as well. If you are unsure about what financial aid packages are available, reach out to the school’s financial aid office, and they can give you some guidance!
Price was a huge deal for me because I knew I would be taking out student loans to help pay for college. I knew that I did not want to still be paying back my loans when I was 50 years old, so I wanted a university with a lower price point. The university that I chose awarded me with grants and scholarships (which do not have to be paid back), along with my loans, so my cost ended up being lower than I originally thought.
2. Location
When thinking about the location of the school, there are many factors that play into this. One of the aspects of location to think about is how far away from home it is. Ask yourself if you want a school in which you can make a day trip back home, or is it more your style to be hours (or even states) away? Another thing to think about when looking at the location is what city the school is located in. Is this a school that is in a small town, rural community? Is it located downtown in a big city? These factors also play into what is available for you off-campus (activities, dining, shopping, etc.).
I like to call the town I grew up in “my little bubble”. It was a smaller suburban town, but I lived there from the time I was born until the time I moved to college, so it was all I ever knew. Moving away from home for the first time was very intimidating, so I wanted a college that was within driving distance. I chose a college that is about an hour and a half away from home, and for me, it is the perfect fit because I am far enough away that I feel independent, however I can make an easy day trip home and back if I want. It is also good when I am sick and all I want is my mom to come get me.
3. School size
There is such a wide range of options when looking at the size of a school, from colleges that might have a smaller number of students than your high school, to universities that have tens of thousands of students. It is important to not only think about what sounds appealing, but also what size university you are most likely to succeed at. While smaller schools have lower student to faculty ratios and your professors will know your name, bigger schools can offer more opportunities to network and connect with other students. When looking at size, the physical size of campus should also be taken into consideration. Are you someone who wants to wake up 10 minutes before class and still make it to the other side of campus? Does a campus that takes 30 minutes to get from one side to the other sound appealing?
Coming from a high school class of about 700 students, I hated the fact that I didn’t know half of the people I graduated with. While I didn’t want a huge university with 70,000+ students, I also still wanted the “college feel”, so I looked for a mid-size college. In choosing a mid-size university, class sizes are small, and I can get across campus rather quickly, but I also still feel like I have opportunities to meet new people and have that college experience.
4. On-Campus housing and facilities
A lot of the time, incoming freshmen are required to live on campus for at least one year, if not more. Because of this, the campus you choose not only becomes your school, but also your home. Be sure to investigate the housing options as well as facilities such as on-campus dining, recreation centers, and wellness centers.
Growing up, I shared a bathroom with my younger sister, and it was already hard enough with two people, so having a communal bathroom with an entire floor was out of the question. While the bathroom situation may seem trivial, I knew that this is what I was going to be stuck with for at least a year. The facilities also swayed me towards the college I chose because there was a health clinic on campus that was included in my tuition, which meant that I had a doctor on campus whenever I wasn’t feeling well.
5. Student Organizations
From Student Government to Greek Life, and even clubs relating to your major, looking at what student organizations are available is a huge part of choosing what college to go to. Not only do these organizations give you something to do, but they can also offer opportunities to hold leadership positions, network with other people, and are great resume builders! Look for colleges that offer a wide variety of student organizations, as you never know when you might pick up a new hobby!
Being the type of person I am, I knew that if I was not part of a student organization, I would sit in my room and watch Netflix all day. It was super important to me that I would have plenty of opportunities to get involved in organizations to not only give me something to do, but also gain skills and connections that will translate to my career. I also knew that I wanted to get involved in Greek Life, so it was a huge draw when schools that I looked into had a good Greek Life program.
Obviously, choosing where to go to college and spend the next few years of your life is an overwhelming decision. From experience, I can tell you that even though it feels like a life-or-death decision right now, in 5 years you will look back and wonder why you were so stressed. Envision yourself in a year going to school at your ideal college, look at these 5 tips, and decide which factors will lead you to your perfect fit!
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