How to Decide Which College Admission Offer to Accept

The first thing to think about is where the college is and what its campus is like. A sprawling campus in the middle of a big city will offer a much different experience than an enclosed suburban or rural campus.

City colleges likely mean a plethora of off-campus activities to enjoy, great restaurants and nightlife, and many opportunities for jobs or internships. On the other hand, they may not offer the kind of close-knit community you might find at a school in a more remote setting.

The size of the campus itself is important as well. How far will you have to travel between classes or to your dorm? Is the college compact and walkable, or does the school have a number of campuses you’ll have to commute between?

Be sure to research what your transportation options are for traveling back home during school breaks. Is the college near an airport or regional train station? If not, can you bring your car to campus? How long will your trip home take?

Once you understand where the school is, it’s time to dig deeper and consider what the school is like. Most likely, you’ll be spending your next four years on that campus, so you want to be sure you’ll enjoy it!

When you visit a college, observe the students on campus. Where do they hang out? Do they seem to be relaxing and having fun in big groups, or do you only see students traveling to and from class?

Take a look at bulletin boards to see what events are happening at the school. Do you see things you think you would be interested in: bands, theater, dance performances, seminars?

Find out what the housing situation looks like at the school. Are there dorms, and are they guaranteed for freshmen — or will you have to rent housing near campus? Do most students live on or near the school, or do most of them commute in for the day? If there are dorms, are they well-equipped and comfortable?

If there’s something you are passionate about, you’ll want to be sure you can still pursue it when you go to college. Whether you want to spend time volunteering, performing, or DJing, research the active clubs and organizations at the college. Does the group you would want to participate in exist?

If you play a sport, consider the teams at the college. Does the school offer that sport? How competitive is it to join the team? What are athletics like at the school as a whole?

Fraternities and sororities can play a big part in the college experience — not only in nightlife, but also in developing a community. Consider if you want to join a fraternity or sorority, and what chapters are active on campus. Or, if you are wholly uninterested in Greek life, ensure that you don’t pick a school where the majority of students are involved in it.

Of course, the main reason you are going to college is to learn. If you know what field of study you want to pursue, consider a school that is renowned in that field. See what colleges offer unique learning opportunities, experiences, or internships that can help you work towards your future career.

Whether or not you know what you want to study, review the list of all available majors and minors at the school. It’s common for students to be undecided as freshmen and even to change their mind later in their studies. Make sure there are enough options that you’ll be sure you can find a major worth pursuing.

It’s worth looking into the college’s general education requirements as well. Some schools have a rigorous list of classes all students must take, while others have more flexible requirements. If your selected major is already demanding, adding several semesters’ worth of required courses to your schedule could be a challenge.

Finances tend to ultimately be the most important factor in deciding which college to attend. The cost to attend college can be extraordinarily high — some elite schools are now nearing total costs of $100,000 per yearfor each student — and those costs are increasing at a rapid pace. In addition, the steep student loan interest rates are resulting in many students graduating with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Do what you can to mitigate these costs.

For each college you’re considering, determine the complete cost per semester, including tuition, room and board, estimated cost of books and supplies, transportation, and any other factors. Take into account any financial aid packages you were offered or any scholarships you earned. Then, work with your family to determine the realistic amount you can afford to spend.