Are you in your last year of high school, with fees and deadlines catching up to you? Then you must be a worried senior! You might be stuck between two or three or even four college choices that you’ve already received positive letters from. Relax-I’m going to try to help you figure this mess out.
Financial Issues
The number one priority in each student’s pocket is money. It’s a shame,but true. Money shouldn’t be a priority in choosing what college is best for you. In fact, this section should be put last, but with our slumping economy, the color green is your best friend.
Whichever college gives you the most financial aid doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ve won you over. Another college may have given you less of an award, but has a smaller tuition,fee, and cheaper supplies/books. Take into account whether or not you’ll be living on campus or at home. Living in a dorm will cost much,much more.
If college #1 gives you a 10,000 dollar award and college #2 didn’t give you as much, wait before you take the next step and ask yourself these questions:
- How much is the difference between these schools? Is it more than 5,000?10,000? If it’s only a 5,000 dollar difference, and the school is clearly better, than there’s no shame in taking out loans.
- Can you decrease the amount you’ll need for the college that is awarding you a lesser amount? Is it flexible?
- Which school has your intended major(s)?
Did you answer each question with the same answer? Then you’re definitely ready to go. Maybe it took you forever to answer these questions, and your results were nowhere near completion. Continue reading,my friend.
Transfer
Before making this life changing decision, give some thought to transferring later on. You could go two directions
- Go to school A for two years,then transfer to school B
OR
- Go to school B for two years, then transfer to school A
Maybe all you want from School B is a diploma with your name on it. Does it look better? Will it attract employers? These are questions your need to ask yourself.
Also, there’s the important issure of credits. Transfer students deal with a lot of mess. Sometimes credits completed at one school are not transferable or are credits from courses not taught at another school. You know what this means; you’ll end up repeating the same courses over and possibly graduating later. It will also result in spending money for classes you’ve already taken. If you do decide to transfer from one school to another, make sure credits are transferable to as many schools as possible.
The Gap Year
Tired of school? Tired of having spent days choosing a college? Consider taking a break from it all! The gap year is a European tradition, and is making its way around the US. But like everything else, there are advantages and disadvantageous to the mysterious gap year.
Advantages
- Time off(of course)
- Chance for travel
- Chance for volunteering
- Chance to step off the academic hamster wheel
- Chance to work, for saving up money, or just extra bucks.
- More time to think things over
Disadvantages
- May end up doing nothing all year
- Stuck at home
- May forget many of the things you learned
- May need a refresher before going back to school
- If your friends are at college, you will be alone.
- May be just a waste of time
Go for a Better Education, Not a Better Name!
I can’t stress this enough. Just because a school is more expensive, prestigious, or revered doesn’t mean it offers what you need! The top schools in the US are not the cleanest places in the world. More often than not, those expensive,private schools end up being the party schools. Why pay 30,000 dollars a year for a piece of paper that you could have payed less for and even received a better deal for? In the end, it’s not the money, it’s not the honor; it’s the experience and the education you can make for yourself at that school.
Choosing which college to attend is a life changing decision. Don’t just toss a coin! Think about it, or you might just end up regretting your decision for a long time. However, whatever your experience might turn out to be, keep a positive outlook and remember that your years in college are unique to only you. No one else could have had those memories, and no matter where you go, the memories you receive, and hopefully the education, will be priceless.
