College application season is in full swing for seniors. Juniors–it is getting to be the time to start thinking about college!
There are multiple factors to consider in choosing colleges to apply to.
One factor is size. Coming from H-B, some people may want to be at a smaller school, as that is what they’re used to or what benefits them. Some people may want a change and to go to a bigger school. Others may not have a preference.
Another consideration is location. Some people would rather be in a rural environment, while some people prefer an urban environment. There are benefits to both, like internships in a city and tight-knight communities in a rural area. Furthermore, you may want to consider how far from home you will be. Some people want to stay in-state and some people want to be far away. Looking at the weather may also be important. Some people may prefer a warmer place, while some may want a colder place. You may want a place that is mostly sunny, or you may not mind the rain.
Focus of the school is important. Do you want to go somewhere artsy or focused on STEM? Liberal arts? This brings you into majors and minors offered. While a lot of people are set on something they want to major in–or at least have an idea of it–it’s okay if you don’t know what you want to do yet! That’s when the focus of the school can be even more important. You may know you want to focus on arts, STEM, liberal arts, or something else, so you would want to choose a school that has lots of options for that. Or you may choose to go to a large school with lots of majors so you have lots of options.
Another thing to consider is housing. Many schools require first-year students to live on campus. Some people may not want to do that. Other schools may not offer housing, or have limited options.
If you have an IEP or 504, you should also consider accommodations. Does the school offer the accommodations you need? Maybe it’s important for the school to have a support system for disabled students or access to counseling.
The final important thing to consider is if the school is public or private. Public schools tend to cost less money, but they usually are not able to provide as much financial aid. That brings us into cost and financial aid. How much in loans will you have to take out? How much can you and your family/whoever is helping you pay put forward?
That’s my guide to what you should consider in a college! There is definitely more you should consider, but I hope this is a good jumping off point.
