IN CASE NO ONE TOLD YOU it’s pretty common to feel like someone else is holding all the cards when it comes to where you’ll be attending college. The admissions committees decide if you meet the school’s criteria the financial aid folks determine how much money you’ll get and the people writing your recommendations may be your tipping points.
But there are some things you have control over including the final say as to what university or college you’ll call your alma mater. And just like dating you might be the one having to let some school down gently.
Here are some questions you’ll probably want answered before applying to schools and after they accept you to determine if you’ve got a future together.
BEFORE APPLYING
Creating the Big List
At the very start of your quest to create a list of colleges you’ll need to ask yourself the broad questions: Which ones are strongest in your intended major? Huge public university or a small private one? City or country? Year-round fun in the sun or four distinct seasons? How far from home are you willing to go? What’s the student mix?
Narrowing Down Your Options
So you’ve got your list of schools that have piqued your interest enough to make your first-round cut. Here’s where some of the more specific questions need to be asked. What’s the faculty-to-student ratio? What’s the freshmen retention rate? What percent of graduates get jobs in your major(s) of interest? Is there an early decision or early action option?
Figuring Your Chances of Getting In
Once your list is chiseled down try to figure which will be “reach” schools which will be “safety” schools and which are in between. You can do this with questions like: How many students apply and what percent are accepted? What criteria weigh most heavily for applicants? How do your grades and test scores compare to the median and/or range for accepted students? In most cases you’ll want to narrow your list down to about six to 10 schools.
AFTER BEING ACCEPTED
Your inbox is filling up with acceptance letters and now you’re faced with the big question: Which school should you choose?
It’s easy to ask “What does your gut tell you?” but there’s a more practical question to ask first: “What financial aid package can you offer me?” Unless you applied early decision (which binds you to attend no matter how little financial aid you’re offered) cost is a legitimate concern.
Be sure to ask about the deadline to accept or decline the school’s offer of admission. And if you can afford it before making any final decisions visit the schools in which you have the most interest when school is in session if possible.
Ask enough questions and you’ll quickly narrow down your list of schools to a handful of top choices. Ask the right questions from those that accept you and it’ll be much easier to decide on the best fit for you.
