Choosing a college is a little bit like
dating-- with as many options as there are out there, there's only one
true match for each person! And just like dating, you usually have a
general idea of what you want and don't want that guides you until you
find what fits your needs best. These guidelines will help you figure
out exactly what your standards are, so when it becomes time to pick a
college, there aren't any guessing games.
1. MajorAlthough this seems obvious, it's imperative to only look at colleges that have your major. Not sure what you want to do yet? Still make sure to exclusively look at schools that have programs for the things you're interested in. For example, even if you love everything about the Savannah College of Art and Design, this wouldn't be a wise option if you're more of the science kind. Sometimes people will pick their major based on what college they decide to attend which is incredibly counterproductive. College is about learning how to do what you love.
2. Location
Anyone who tells you this isn't important is lying. Location matters for so many reasons! If the idea of layering up to walk from class to class makes you cringe, stay away from northern schools. Looking for stellar internships in the publishing industry? New York may be your best bet! If your parents want you to stay close to home, please, do not consider anywhere that requires a plane ticket to get to.
3. Community
The cool thing about college is that each different one attracts different kinds of people. For the first thing in your life, you get to choose where you get to spend your time and who you get to spend it with! Don't you want to make that count? Make sure to tour colleges when there are students on campus. That way you have an idea of exactly what you could be getting yourself into. Remember, above all, it's the people that make the place. Make sure that the people you're with for four years are your kind of people.
4. Money
Are your parents paying for your education? If so, how much are they willing to spend? Do you have to contribute anything? Financial aid and scholarships exist, yes, but don't count on anything. Are you willing to go into major debt over a school? These are all things to consider before you fall in love with a college. Think about it like a bride-to-be finding her ideal wedding dress, only to realize it's $20,000 over her budget. Wouldn't that suck?
5. Extracurriculars
Academics are important, but it's the opportunities out of the classroom that will really make your college experience stand out. An obvious example is Greek life, but a lot of times people forget to check out other programs as well. Are you a journalism nerd but the school paper sucks? Do you want to continue cheerleading in college but the team's tryouts requirements are too strict? This is information that some colleges don't clearly display on their website, so it's probably wise to do your own research and reach out to students and professors for advice.
