Dear Seniors,

With the end of March fast approaching and decisions headed your way, we thought we’d take the time to reflect on one of the most important aspects of your college process–selecting a school! As is always the case in the college process, the decisions that you will soon receive will have been made for you. It’s the case that the colleges will be making choices about whom to admit based on many factors, those that expressly suit their needs and interests. Remember this: all college offers you receive will be good offers. While they may not be exactly what you had hoped or planned for, there are always good reasons to be excited about the college options that come your way. The following are things to keep in mind as you consider your options:

• “The Glass is Half Full” Being positive about your choices is always preferable to complaining about what you didn’t get. Your having the opportunity to go to college and having choices is really what your college process is all about. 

• “Do Your Homework: Understanding Your Options” Being aware of what has been presented to you in terms of your offers is good business. Make sure you understand your financial aid awards and other types of offers such as housing or admission to special programs. You should make a spreadsheet to compare such things as cost of attendance, indebtedness via loans, and programs/preferences. 

• “April: Time to Compare Your Options” As you have until May 1, the Common Reply Deadline, to decide on your school, take advantage of the month of April to compare your choices and to revisit schools if possible. Admissions officers are busy in April planning re-visit days and weekends and other such programs in an effort to attract you to their schools. Nothing is better than an in-person visit…go if you can! If that’s not possible, there will be virtual programs available to help you distinguish among schools. Also, April is the time to reach out to current students and alumni to learn more about their schools. If you know current students or alumni, contact them. If not, admissions reps will be happy to connect you to current students, who are often very helpful in answering your questions. Lots of people will be willing to help you decide on a school, which is mostly a very good thing.  

• “Trust Your Gut”  Data and statistics rankings and fancy programs designed to dazzle are all a part of choosing a college—so too are your feelings and instincts. Often these non-measurables can and should play a part in your final decision. In lots of cases, your choices will boil down to, well, how you feel about places. Go ahead, make the best choice for yourself and your family; use the resources available to you to do so. Here’s an important tip: Once you commit to a college, try not to look back or second-guess. Doing so is not very productive or helpful. It should be “full steam ahead” to your chosen destination.