How To Go About Choosing a College

Summary of Important Details

• List the colleges you would like to attend.

• If possible, attend camps for sports, band, etc, while you're in high school. This will help you experience a variety of colleges before you start touring.

• List your top 3 majors and ensure that your chosen colleges offer them.

• Identify the key things you want your college to provide.

• Prepare questions to ask on the tour, such as, “What is the food hall like? Can I see it?” or “Do we have to pay for printing on campus?”

• Remember, if they don’t show you something on the tour, it’s usually for a reason.

•  Don’t be swayed by fancy labs or other facilities—they're often not available to undergraduates. Remember, the college is trying to sell itself to you.

You’re looking for a college. That’s great! I know it can be tough with so many options out there, especially if you're accepted by multiple schools. If you're just starting your search to make a list of colleges you're interested in, the first thing you should do is decide on your top three career choices. Ensure that the college offers programs for these careers in case you decide to change majors. Many people end up changing their major—some even change it several times. Sometimes classes are too hard, sometimes people lose interest in the topic, or it’s not as lucrative as they thought. Whatever the reason, make sure the college has your top three majors.

Additionally, make sure the college has proper accreditation for these programs, so you don’t end up with a degree that holds no value. There have been cases where colleges lose accreditation, leaving students scrambling to either change majors or transfer to another school. Neither option is ideal. You should never have to base your career choice on a college's financial issues or loss of program accreditation.

Next, consider the price of the college, not just its location. College accreditation typically holds the same weight no matter where you go. The college name doesn’t always carry significant weight when you're job-hunting, except that larger schools might have better career fairs with more employers to connect with. Location may seem important, but if it costs twice as much to attend a college in a desirable area, it may not be worth the money. Think of college as an investment with work attached, not a vacation. That’s what spring break and winter break are for!

Regarding high school credits, it’s helpful if you’ve completed some general education requirements during high school. Make sure your college accepts those credits because it can save you a lot of time and money. Even just six credits can save you half a semester of classes, allowing you to dive into major-specific courses in your freshman year. This will give you an edge when you're trying to find internships. Taking high school PSEO or AP classes can also free up your schedule in college, making room for a minor, a double major, or possibly graduating in three years instead of four.

When looking at colleges food quality varies greatly from college to college, and it can be an important factor to consider. Dining halls tend to offer the cheapest but worst food options. However, some colleges have excellent food. I recommend trying the food when you visit. If they don’t show you the food hall on your tour, that might be a red flag. Colleges will only showcase the best features during tours, but many of these things won’t actually be part of your day-to-day experience. Be cautious about getting sold on things that might not matter to you when you become a full-time student.

When touring, check out the study spaces around campus, including student unions, random halls, and libraries. It’s nice to have a variety of study spots. Some dorms even have study spaces, which can be convenient when you don’t want to venture far but still want separation between your living and study areas. It’s helpful to keep the “three S’s” in mind when evaluating colleges: Sleep, School, and Social Life.

Also, look into how long you’re required to live on campus, as this can significantly affect your overall college costs. Staying on campus is a great way to meet people and build friendships, so I think it’s important to live in the dorms for your freshman year. After that, living off-campus can help you develop life skills, like paying rent, managing utilities, and dealing with landlords. Knowing these things earlier can save you time, money, and frustration later on. For example, in-unit laundry is a great feature to look for in off-campus housing—it’s convenient, more sanitary and cost-effective.

As for off-campus housing, start looking early. Scout out the town during your freshman year, so you have an idea of where you’d like to live after the dorms. It’s smart to secure an apartment in the winter of your first semester and hold onto it throughout the summer. If you like the apartment, consider keeping it for the rest of college, as moving can be a hassle and costly with additional deposits, storage fees, and the risk of losing the apartment. Roommates can help with rent, but make sure you get along well before committing. Conflict is inevitable, but it’s important to minimize it by choosing wisely.

I hope these tips help you in your college search! Touring can be fun, and the change ahead is exciting. Don’t stress too much about picking the “perfect” college—happy hunting!

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