With decision day right around the corner, questions are probably racing through your mind. Where should I commit? How will I know if this school is the perfect place for me? If you are struggling with these thoughts and doubts, you have come to the right place.
If you are a student who did not apply for Early Decision (binding), then you are most likely thinking about your college options. However, the whole process does not need to be a stressful one. Here are some tips and tricks to pick the best school for you.
First, narrow down your location preferences. Would you rather be in a warm or cold climate? Far or close to home? Once you figure out the state you want to study in, you can help slim down your choices. Figuring out a large factor, such as location first, helps make the overall process easier.
After you know the location of your ideal school, pick the size next. Colleges can range from 40,000 students to only 1,000 or less. If you are into the super big schools, you can easily narrow down any smaller schools that would not pique your interest. On the other hand, if you would rather be at a smaller school getting rid of all the big schools from your list, will narrow your options even more.
Next, see what your remaining options have to offer. If there are sports, music, or even a mascot that you love from a specific school, keep note of that and hold onto it. Sometimes the smallest things about a school, are the reasons why we love them the most.
Write everything down. Google Docs, or even the Notes app, is the perfect way to keep track of every little detail you love about your school. Adding onto that, if you are a student and you know your intended major, finding a school that meets all of your educational needs is important. If you want to be a nurse, and the nursing program at one of your schools is not strong, maybe that is not the right school for you. However, applying undecided is a great option as well!
Do research. Online or virtual tours, school websites, and alumni are great ways to get extra information. You can find a lot of hidden gems about a school by putting in the extra work to find out more- you get what you give!
At the end of the day, any school you feel is right for you, probably will be! College is a great place to meet new people, go out of your comfort zone, and learn. You can do all of those things anywhere! Remember to be thoughtful about your choices and take your time with each major decision. Good luck!
