If you’re reading this article, you are likely in the exciting (and equally confusing) position of making your final college decision. With so many amazing options to choose from, how can you be sure to make the right one and end up at the right college for you? I have a few tips and tricks to help ease this process.
How Do I Start The Process of Making a Final College Decision?
To start, take some time on your own to sit down and list out all the schools you’ve been accepted to. Seeing them all in one place can help make things feel more real and a little more manageable. Next, divide them into three categories: schools you love, schools you like, and schools that matter less to you. Don’t overthink it—go with your gut reactions and focus on what excites you most about each option.
Once you’ve made your lists, spend most of your energy exploring the schools in your love and like categories. Spend some time researching their academic programs, student life, campus culture, and post-grad outcomes. Try to learn as much as you can about the student experience. You can also look at things like location, class sizes, and opportunities for research or internships. The goal is to get a deeper sense of what makes each school special and how well it aligns with your goals and personality.
What Factors Should I Consider When Making My College Decision?
At HelloCollege, we created the S.A.F.E. method to help students think about which factors to consider when making both their college lists and their final college decision:
S – Social
What will your social life be like at this college? How big is the campus? What kinds of clubs and organizations can you join? What towns are nearby and what are they like? What is the “vibe” like on campus, and how do you feel there? What were the students like that you met and would you get along well with them?
A – Academic
What will the academic experience be like at this college? What major were you accepted to, and was it your first choice? If it isn’t, can you transfer into your first choice? What are the general education requirements? Will you have opportunities to do research? Were you accepted to the honors college or, if you want to be in one, can you transfer in? Do you like/respect the faculty in your chosen major?
F- Financial
How much will it cost for you to attend this college? What does their financial aid package look like compared to other schools you’ve been accepted to? Will you need to take out loans, and if so, how much money do you have to take out in loans? Based on average earnings post-graduate from your major, will it be easy or hard for you to pay back your loans? Does the school offer additional scholarships to current students that you could add on later?
E – Employment
What kinds of jobs have alumni from this college gotten? What is the percentage of students from the program you’re studying who got a job within six months of graduation? What is the career center like? Does the college have one centralized career center or individual centers for each school or college within the university? Where have students in your program gotten internship or co-op opportunities? What percentage of students go on to graduate studies, and where do they study next? Will your program prepare you for the kinds of job you’re interested in?
While you should let these four factors guide your decision, at the end of the day, pay attention to what your gut and heart are saying too! If you’re not sure what they’re saying, consider flipping a coin. Really! You’ll be surprised how honest your mind and heart can be when you push it to make a choice!
What Resources Should I Use To Make My College Decision?
Attend Admitted Students Days
Every college and university hosts in-person Admitted Student Days on their campus in the spring. They will typically include representatives from many different student service offices and include a lot of students that you can meet. These events are a great way to learn about the S.A.F.E. factors and see them in action!
Attend Virtual Accepted Student Events
If you can’t make it to the college in person, attend a virtual event instead! The Admissions website will have more information to sign up.
Email Your Admissions Counselor
Your regional admissions representative contains a wealth of knowledge about the university and can help connect you with different university departments and even current students.
Reach Out To Your Future Academic Department
Go to your major department’s website and email their general department email or the academic advising office with questions about your specific program.
Use Social Media
Social media can be a great place to hear honest feedback from students about their experience at a college or university. TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube all have a wealth of information. It’s also a good idea to follow the school’s admissions pages for useful information.
Talk To Your College Counselor
If you are having trouble getting more information about a school that you’re interested in, your high school counselor is a great resource. And if you need further help, consider working with a college admission consultant. HelloCollege counselors are well connected and may know current students, faculty, and staff at the college or university you’re interested in!
When Do I Have to Make My College Decision?
Most colleges abide by the National Decision Day deadline of May 1st, so we recommend making a decision on or before that date. However, there may be extenuating circumstances that delay your decision making until after May 1.
Some schools may allow you to extend your decision deadline date if you have experienced changes in your financial situation and are working to adjust your financial aid package. Some schools offer rolling admissions deadlines and will continue to read applications and accept students after May 1st.
Finally, many schools won’t start consulting their waitlist until after May 1st, so some students may receive a decision in the late spring or early summer. If you receive waitlist offers, we highly recommend accepting another school’s offer on or before the May 1st deadline to ensure that you are enrolled in a college or university for the fall.
What Happens After I Make My College Decision?
Once you make your decision… CONGRATULATIONS! You are officially enrolled in college! You should take the time to celebrate yourself and all the hard work you’ve done to get to this point.
The university will begin reaching out to you after you make your deposit to secure your spot with next steps. Be sure to set up your college email account early and check it regularly to sign up for housing, enroll in your classes, and sign up for orientation. Don’t forget to start buying university merchandise, too!
FAQs
What should I do if I make a decision and then find out that I’ve been taken off the waitlist at another college?
If you receive an acceptance from a school that you were previously waitlisted at, you should go through the same process again to decide if this new school in the mix is a better choice for you than the school you committed to on May 1st. If so, you will need to email the admissions office at the school you have committed to and update them about your plans. They will likely retain your deposit money in the process. However, once you have sent that email, you are welcome to enroll at another university.
What if my top choice college is too expensive? What are my options to make it more affordable?
The cost of college has increased exponentially in recent years, and it is an unfortunate reality that your top choice college may also exceed the top of your budget. You and your family will have to consider together if attending this college is worth going over budget. If you feel that it is worth it, make sure to use a calculator to determine what your total out-of-pocket costs will look like and what your loan repayments will look like to make sure they are doable for both you and your family.
Before the May 1st deadline, you should send a letter of appeal to your school’s Financial Aid office if your financial aid package isn’t sufficient to make the school affordable. If they are not able to change your package, there are still opportunities to amass additional aid even after the May 1st deadline. Look to external, private scholarships offered by your school district, as well as state-wide and national scholarships. Every small scholarship can make a big difference. HelloCollege maintains a current database of scholarships, and our college counselors are great resources to help with the scholarship application process.
What if I change my mind after I accept a school’s offer of admission?
It is natural to question whether or not you’ve made the right decision about which college to attend. If you find yourself wondering, “What if?” return back to the S.A.F.E. decision making process and remind yourself why you chose this school in the first place.
Join online groups for incoming students as a way to start bonding with your future classmates. Reach out within your network to anyone who might already be at that university and try to initiate a coffee chat with them. Tell someone you trust how you’re feeling and work through those feelings with them—are your feelings about the school itself or about something else?
Conclusion
While making your final college decision can feel scary and overwhelming, it’s also an exciting opportunity to weigh excellent options and pick the exact right place for you. Remember that no matter where you end up, as long as you take advantage of resources available to you and work hard, you can achieve the goals you set your mind to!
Still unsure how to make your final college decision? Explore our College Fit Guide or our College Visit Checklist, or connect with a HelloCollege counselor to learn how they can help make this and the rest of the college admissions process easier; reach out today for a free consultation!
