Which College Should You Commit to? Questions to Ask Yourself

The waiting period is over and you’ve received a handful (or more!) of acceptance letters from the colleges on your list. First of all, congratulations! This is a great problem to have—your hard work you put into applying has paid off wonderfully. Once you’ve celebrated, it’s time to think carefully about the options you now have to choose from.

If you’re equally enthusiastic about multiple colleges, how do you go about picking the one that’s a perfect fit for you? Knowing which factors are important to you can make a world of difference as you’re trying to make such an important decision. Consider the following questions as you’re figuring out which school you’ll ultimately enroll in: 

• Did you get accepted into different majors at different schools and would prefer one over the other?
• Which school’s course offerings excite you the most?
• Is there a professor at a particular college you’re most excited to work with?
• Whose resources can support your interests and goals the best?
• Does location matter to you?
• How is the weather at each college you’re considering?
• Would you benefit from being in a particular city based on your professional interests?
• Do you want a big campus or small campus?
• Which school has your ideal student population size?
• Do you prefer a public university or a liberal arts college?
• Do you prefer lecture-style classes or seminars?
• Does one of your schools have better laboratories than the others?
• How much does the student-to-professor ratio matter to you?
• What kind of residential life are you looking for?
• Does Greek life matter to you?
• Which school has student organizations and clubs that excite you the most?
• Do you like the dorms in one school better than the others?
• Which school has given you a better financial aid package or scholarship?
• Do you have to take other costs into account, such as housing and school supplies?
• Does a dining hall at one of the schools offer options more friendly to you?
• How is the alumni network at each college?

To help your decision, try to visit campuses virtually or in person. Attending Admitted Student events at one or more schools can help you understand the opportunities available and reach out to current students for more information. It’s a big decision, but you’re in a great position to consider all your options and choose the institution that can provide you with the best academic and extracurricular environment for the next four years.