How to Choose the Best College for You: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Contributing Writer The staff writers for BestColleges collaborate to deliver unique, student-driven content on topics such as career development, college life, and college planning…. Edited by

According to a 2020 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with a bachelors degree as their highest level of education earned an average of $524 more per week than workers with only a high school diploma. Whats more, many jobs require candidates to have at least a bachelors degree.

Choosing a college that can help you achieve both your personal and professional goals is critical to your success. Ultimately, its up to you to determine which factors are most important for your lifestyle and what you hope to get out of higher education. Once youve identified these factors, you can create a shortlist of schools and begin researching them.

This guide explains how to compare colleges, what to look for in a college, and how to estimate your chances of getting into your dream school.

Choosing which college to attend is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a student. With over 4000 degree-granting institutions in the U.S. the options can feel overwhelming. However, by carefully considering factors like academics, affordability, campus culture, and more, you can find your perfect school fit.

Follow this step-by-step guide to make the right college choice based on what matters most to you.

Step 1: Reflect on Your Needs, Interests, and Preferences

The first step is getting clarity on what you want in a college experience. Important factors to think about include:

Location – Do you prefer to stay close to home or venture farther away? Would you like an urban or rural setting?
Academics – What are your possible majors or fields of interest? Does the school offer diverse course options with strong professors?
Affordability – How much can your family comfortably contribute each year? Will financial aid or scholarships be necessary?
Size – Are you interested in small medium or large student enrollment?
Student Body – Would you like a diverse student population or focus on certain demographics?
Campus Culture – Do you prefer school spirit and social activities or a more studious environment?
Housing – Do dorms, apartments, commuting, or Greek life appeal to you?

By outlining your ideal college profile for factors like these, you’ll have criteria to judge potential schools.

Step 2: Develop an Initial List of College Options

Brainstorm a list of colleges that might fulfill your wants and needs based on initial research. Cast a wide net at this stage – you can narrow it down later.

Sources for generating your college list include:

Your high school counselor’s recommendations
College search sites like Niche or College Board’s BigFuture
College ranking lists
Your parents’ alma maters or local options
Competitors for your academic interests
Reach, target, and safety schools based on your stats

Aim for around 10-15 schools to start. Having a pool of possibilities makes it easier to compare and find the best fit.

Step 3: Tour Campuses of Top Choices

Campus visits are invaluable for getting a feel for schools and whether you can picture yourself there. Try to tour your top 5-7 in-person if possible. On visits, get clarity on:

Campus size, layout, facilities, and dorms
Surrounding community and transportation
Student demographics and interactions
Academic departments and class options
Affordability details like financial aid options
Extracurricular clubs, sports, and activities

Tours give you a gut check about how comfortable you feel on campus. Is it lively or too noisy? Can you find your niche? The vibe you get is telling.

Step 4: Complete Applications and Secure Recommendations

Once you’ve narrowed down choices after tours, complete each college’s application requirements:

Essays or short answer questions about yourself
Forms for family details, academics, extracurriculars
Submission of test scores, transcripts, portfolio
Any supplementary materials

Also reach out early to teachers, counselors, employers or coaches who know you well for recommendation letters speaking to your skills, achievements, and potential.

Giving recommenders plenty of time and tips about what to highlight improves your chances. Follow all application and letter instructions closely.

Step 5: Compare College Factors Like Culture, Programs, and Outcomes

Weigh your school options against factors like:

Campus Culture

Extracurricular clubs, events, and activities
Sports teams, facilities, and school spirit
On-campus housing and dining hall options
Surrounding community and transportation

Academic Quality and Support

Overall graduation rates
Retention rates freshman to sophomore year
Student-to-faculty ratio
Research opportunities
Career counseling services

Program Availability

Breadth and quality of degree programs offered
Variety of electives within your major(s) of interest
Options for double majoring or interdisciplinary study

Affordability

Sticker price tuition and fees
Availability of merit scholarships you might qualify for
Typical financial aid package for your income bracket
Percentage of students receiving aid

Outcomes and Reputation

School’s retention and graduation rates
Job placement stats and average salaries
Reputation with employers in your potential career field(s)
Alumni network and career support available

Make a detailed pro/con list for your top contenders on factors that matter most to you. For many students, academics, financial aid, and “feel” of campus are deciding factors.

Step 6: Decide on Your Top Choice

By now, you should have a frontrunner that just feels right. Trust your instincts!

Before committing, consider:

Did you get into your preferred academic program(s)?
Does the financial aid offer cover an acceptable amount?
Can you picture being happy on that campus day to day?
Is it the right stepping stone for your future goals?

If you can confidently say yes for your top pick, congratulations – it sounds like the perfect fit!

Step 7: Finalize Enrollment and Housing

Once you’ve selected your college, complete any paperwork to formally accept your spot. This usually involves:

Submitting your enrollment deposit to secure your place
Signing and returning financial aid offer paperwork if accepting those funds
Applying for housing if living on campus, often with roommate preferences
Providing any items needed for orientation like immunization records

Finalizing enrollment means you can now relax and proudly announce where you’ll be attending college!

Step 8: Prepare for the Transition

Get ready for college life by:

Connecting with your new roommate(s) in advance
Joining your college’s Facebook group to meet fellow freshmen
Forming GroupMe chats for your dorm, major, clubs etc.
Reading freshman year survival guides to get insider tips
Stocking up on dorm room essentials and school supplies
Packing everything on your college packing checklist
Talking to current students to preview professors, classes, activities, and more

Proper planning ensures an easy move-in and smooth transition to college. Enjoy this special time preparing for new adventures ahead!

Questions to Ask on College Visits

Here are some suggested questions to ask on campus tours and visits to help evaluate fit:

How would you describe the campus culture? What are typical weekends like?
Are there lots of extracurricular options and school spirit around sports?
How diverse is the student population? Is the campus inclusive?
What percentage of classes are taught by professors rather than teaching assistants?
Are there opportunities for undergraduate research, internships, or study abroad?
How available are professors outside of class? Is academic support accessible?
What career counseling and job placement services are offered to students?
What types of students thrive here? What types may not love it as much?
What is dorm and campus dining quality like? What are the options?
Is the surrounding community integrated with campus life?
How do most students get around campus and the local area? Is transportation easy?

Asking strategic questions during college tours can help you determine which school truly aligns with your personality, goals, and needs.

Choosing Between Comparable Options

If you end up stuck between two great options, here are some tie-breakers to consider:

Which college has the stronger program and internships for your major? This can impact job prospects later.
Which offers the more affordable financial aid package or merit scholarships? Student debt burdens can vary greatly between schools.
Which campus did you feel more at home on during tours? Cultural fit often becomes clearer in person.
Does one school have alumni connections that would help you professionally after graduating? Leverage networking.

There’s no one right way to make the final call – go with your gut! The college years go quickly, so choose the community you’re drawn to.

Re-Evaluating if Accepted Nowhere You Applied

Don’t panic if you aren’t accepted to any of your top choices. First, take advantage of waitlists in case spots open up. You can also explore strong colleges you didn’t previously consider or apply to transfer later.

Some alternative options include:

Attending community college for 1-2 years then transferring to a 4-year school
Finding late admission opportunities at colleges with space
Considering schools you applied to late or were initially less interested in
Looking for colleges with rolling admissions that are still accepting applications

With some flexibility and additional research, you can still find the right college for the coming school year or down the road.

Key Takeaways

Reflect carefully on your ideal college characteristics before searching for options. Location

how to choose a college

Step 1: Make a College List

Early in the process, sit down with your parents/guardians or someone you trust, such as your school guidance counselor, to develop a list of colleges that interest you. This list can include public and private schools, both local and out of state.

Youll want to consider a variety of experiences and outcomes before making a final decision. Ideally, this list should include 10-15 colleges, all of which should offer majors that align with your interests and professional goals.

What to Look for in a College: 7 Factors to Consider

Choosing a college to attend is a big decision, and students should carefully weigh their options to determine which school is ultimately right for them. While every student has different needs and interests, all should consider the following factors to help inform their decision.

Location is one of the most significant factors in choosing a college for many students. If you decide to stay in your home state and attend a public school, you can qualify for in-state tuition, potentially saving you a lot of money on college.

You can also cut costs on travel since car rides are usually less expensive than airfare. Consider whether you want to live in a rural area, a sprawling metropolis, or someplace in between.

Small college towns often offer a more intimate sense of community that lets you build strong relationships with peers and professors. In contrast, schools in large cities can grant you access to more social and cultural activities, not to mention internships with major companies and nonprofits.

How to Choose a School | How to College | Crash Course

What should I consider when choosing a college?

Dorm life, campus athletics, and a diverse student body can also matter. Students with a strong academic record or unique qualifications may also wish to consider their potential institutional aid package options when choosing schools. Finally, prospective applicants should consider their chances of gaining admission.

How do college rankings help you choose a college?

Rankings can help you compare colleges, but be careful not to let them make your decision for you. Use statistics like retention rate and graduation rate to determine if students generally stay at the college and ultimately graduate. Don’t wait to reach out to a college if you’re interested.

How do I find a good college?

You can also research reputable schools known for high-quality degree programs in a specific discipline. If you need help getting started, look for online resources that allow you to search for and compare colleges. We’ll get into these a bit later. 2. Determine Your Top Priorities

Do you want to find the perfect College?

Some students want to find the perfect college. The truth is, there’s no such thing. However, you can find many colleges where you’ll be happy and get an excellent education. The college search is about exploring who you are and what you want and then finding colleges where you can meet your goals.