How to Decide Between Different College Acceptances

How to Decide Between Different College Acceptances

As admissions decisions roll in, high school seniors across the nation breathe a collective sigh of relief. Finally, the wait is over; you can begin to seriously plan where you will study in the fall.If you are reading this article, then it most likely means that you received positive news. Congratulations on getting accepted to multiple colleges! Your hard work paid off, and you have the option of deciding between different choices. While we believe you can receive a good education on any campus if you put in the effort, it is best to make sure you ultimately pick the right place and for the right reasons.The college you choose will not only require a significant financial investment on the part of your parents, but you will also have to invest your time, youth, and brainpower to being a student at that school for at least three to four years. Landing at a place that jives well with your learning style, social needs, and academic interests—as compared to, say, a school that has better name recognition—will empower you to more fully live out your potential.Whether you are torn between two dream schools, or were accepted to mostly target and safety colleges, the following tips will help you collect data on which option is best for you.

Attend Prospective Student Weekends

Even if you have toured the college before, there is nothing like spending an entire weekend sleeping in dorms, talking to current students, visiting classes, and eating lunch with possible future classmates to learn what it truly is like to be a student at a particular campus.Come to these prospective student weekends with your game face on. Come up with questions about the college culture and student experience to ask people you will meet. Ask current students what led them to choose the school, and what are reasons you should consider another school instead. Dig deep.It’s easy to be swayed by the buzz of meeting other excited students during these weekends and to forget that the experience is to ultimately help you decide yes or no. Pay attention to how you feel when you’re with students, when you’re in classrooms, and when you’re by yourself walking across campus. Are you pensive? Excited? Anxious?Write down reflections of your experiences after the visits. Do the hard work of making the most of out of these weekends in order to find out what exactly you like about one school over another.But, of course, don’t be afraid to trust your gut. Sometimes students just feel they belong when they step onto a campus. That is great too—just make sure to find tangible reasons that back up your gut feeling during your stay. 

Make a Cons List (or a Pros List)

Go on any college website, and you will find one hundred and one reasons for what makes a particular college great. Indeed, most colleges and universities have a lot to offer its students in the way of a higher education, internships, and extracurricular activities.If you are dazzled by two or more schools, then make a cons list that details reasons why you may not be happy at a particular campus. Perhaps the location is all wrong, or you couldn’t bear to deal with such a large student body. Maybe neighborhood safety is a concern for you, or a school does not have the specific major you hope to study. Whatever it is, write these things down.Alternatively, if you find yourself lackluster about all the places to which you have been accepted, make a pros list to highlight all the reasons why a campus excites you. Sure, it might not be located in a city, but perhaps the school has partnerships with local companies to guarantee most freshmen summer internships. And even if a college’s class size is small, maybe it is part of a consortium of colleges and offers a wider network of students to connect with.

Ask Your Family and Friends

Look for people who know well your needs and personality and ask their thoughts on where you should go. Don’t settle for any answers that are surface-level—like the name recognition of a school or how close to home it is. Tell them about the pros and cons that you are weighing, let them know what you hope to study, and ask them about their process of deciding which college to attend.Your family and friends have your best interest in mind, so listen to their advice carefully. But be sure to mull over whether their insight makes sense for you. If their suggestions add more confusion or turmoil to the mix, then feel free to toss it out of your head space.

Consider Where You Have Thrived Previously

College is indeed a time to explore new things and push past your comfort zone. However, it’s important to balance that desire with being mindful of the factors that best help you to thrive. Usually, success predicts success. If you have done well in a certain environment or under certain conditions in high school, then you will likely do well in college under those same circumstances.What kind of classes have you most enjoyed? Do you do your best work when given opportunities to collaborate with others or when assigned individual work? Does weather matter? Is it important to be near your family?  By now, you may have already thought thoroughly about who you are, how you function, and where you best thrive. But it is helpful to reflect on these things once more in consideration of the culture, academic offerings, and location of the colleges you have been accepted to.

Know What You Contribute

In the end, it is the student that makes the college and not the other way around. Your intellect, personality, and drive are what will help you accomplish your goals in life. So be encouraged! There is a bright future ahead of you wherever you ultimately attend.  The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us