7 Steps to Picking the Right College

[Christina Battons]

This is perhaps the biggest decision any high school senior has ever made. Considering that all professional careers require a college education, it is a protocol for the seniors to fill out college applications for relevant courses that suit their career choice, and there is stiff competition for the limited entry positions in most colleges today. While the process is indeed a step towards bigger things, especially when you receive a few positive responses from different colleges, it is quite a challenge to actually make the right pick.

And if you are a high school senior about to "make the biggest decision of your life" you can agree that the process can cause quite an anxiety, and this has already been confirmed even by psychology experts.

It is often the case that most students find it hard to make that absolute selection, because to them it is a such a huge commitment, and if they have even the slightest doubt in this decision-making process, they will begin to question every step they take in the whole process. They’ll start asking themselves whether they are doing the right thing or not, and unfortunately, too much over-thinking adds on to their stress and anxiety.

However, picking the right college does not have to be stressful for you, be it a student or a parent looking out for the education interests of their children, it should actually be a fun process! We’ve gone all out to bring you tips on how to navigate this chapters of your life without problems. In fact, if you follow these guidelines advocated by college officials, counselors, and coaches, you will discover that finding the best college for you is just that, easy.

1. Review the original shortlist

It is not easy to get into college, not with the overwhelming competition that’s always increasing annually. You've worked on your application, which has to include creating your personal statement, and now found that you’ve been accepted into more than one top tier college institutions could be one of the best feelings ever, right? Well, to some point, it is true, but wait till you have to pick one and forego the rest, that’s when you’ll understand how much of a "burden" it is to make that decision.

But you don’t have to be stuck at that, for there’s always a way out. Remember when you were discussing getting into college and pursuing your favorite career? You can always go back to that moment in your mind and review the reasons that made you chose a particular institution and put it on the short list. Try to answer why you initially thought a particular school was better for you, and how does it match up with the other institutions.

2. Priorities, priorities

The trick is to compile the positives and the negatives, and identifying several aspects paramount in college life, then comparing how the institutions perform in terms of the given criteria. For instance, you can compare the size of the institution, or the athletics programs in their catalogs, and then rank these according to your preference or importance to you. You can then see which one serves your priorities better.

3. Remember, the endgame is what’s important here

It is advisable to focus on the endgame, and this entails reviewing your four-year goal plan. Considering that you will be in college for four years, it is important to at least have an idea of what you want to do after the four years of study are up. For instance, understanding what career you are best suited for will guide you to pick the best environment that’s appropriate to model you into the person you need to become four years later when you get your degree.

4. Reputation is important career-wise

The reputation of an institution cannot be ignored, and since the job market is becoming stiff by the minute, it is best to study in an institution that maintains a robust career service center for linking students with internship or job opportunities, and even research opportunities. Once you compare their reputation by this criteria, you will have made the process easier.

5. Do they offer financial aid packages?

While not many colleges have implemented full financial aid packages, as a parent, you may want to explore the financial options available for you, because a college education is quite expensive and you may need all the help you can get. Colleges with good financial packages are better because you won’t have to deal with fee problems once the studies begin.

6. Remember, you can always compromise…

In this world, you know you just can't have your cake and eat it, too, now can you? It is not easy to match your preferences 100%, but it also does not mean doing away with it because it does not satisfy a few of your wishes. Well, if you learn to compromise, you will know when to forego a few goodies to get the best of what you’ve always wanted.

Therefore, the same principle applies in college selection. You can compromise and select the best institution that does not necessarily accommodate all your demands.

7. Do not procrastinate

The number one mistake that students often make is to procrastinate on important matters such as this. When it comes to making decisions that will affect the rest of their lives, students find it hard to deal with it and push it for a later date, which is a terrible mistake.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the article has outlined seven steps you can review to help in your decision making process, and in particular, selecting the right college. If you follow these steps, you will have an easier time determining the best school to go to, because the criteria will reflect your priorities.

Getting into college is a step towards growth, and once you come out of there, you will have learned enough to change the world around you. Therefore, use our seven steps for selecting the right college. Make the right choice today and live the rest of your life knowing that you made the right decision enrolling into a particular school.