Published February 2013. Financial aid and student loan rules change often, so some details may be out of date. Ask us about your situation.
With acceptance letters due to arrive in the mail any day now – if they haven’t already – students have a lot of things to consider regarding which school they will choose to spend the next four years attending. In many cases, a student will be accepted to a number of schools, all of which satisfy some of the criteria on the applicant’s wish list, but narrowing it down to just one institution is a bigger challenge than one may think.
Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting a college:
- Creature comforts – You want to be comfortable wherever you intend to earn your college degree, especially if you’re planning to live on campus. If you aren’t going to be comfortable in a coed dorm, for example, make sure the school you choose has the proper accommodations. The same is true if you have a particular diet. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan or simply a picky eater, you don’t want to be paying extra by shopping around to prepare your own meals while other students save money with an affordable meal plan.
- Academics – Keep in mind that the whole point of going to college is to guarantee that you are learning as much as possible and putting your smarts to good use. You’re paying for the education, so make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
- Financial aid – The cost of paying for college will have a lasting effect that will stay with you for years. Your decision may ultimately come down to which school offers you the best financial aid package or the most scholarships. While you don’t want to settle on the college that is the most affordable in favor of a school that meets all of your other criteria, you also have to be wary of the long-term debt burden.
Selecting a college is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, so choose wisely.