As the final months of the school year approach, the hallways are usually filled with stressed seniors struggling to make a decision on where they will spend the next four years of their lives.  If you are one of these seniors who is wishing to lessen the stress of college decisions, here is your guide to choosing the right college.

When picking colleges, an important thing to realize is to not base your decision solely on acceptance rate or ranking.

“I chose my college because I loved what opportunities were offered for my major and all the fun social aspects,” said senior Nicole Bonavitacola.

One of the most important things to consider when making your college decisions is cost.  Most undergraduate institutions today are expensive, and students are often put in a situation where they have to take up hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of loans.  While this may be a worthy investment for some, it can cause a pile of debt and financial instability for others.  So, an important thing to think about when contemplating your college options is to pick a school you can afford.  In other words, if you don’t want to pay $80+ thousands for a private institution for the next four years, consider schools that offer in-state tuition or have awarded you scholarships.

Something else to consider is location. You’re going to be living at this college for the next four years so it is important to feel comfortable in the place you will be going.   If you hate the cold, there is no reason you should be going to a school up in the mountains.  Or, if you are a winter enthusiast, it is best to avoid places like Florida and California.  Perhaps you get homesick and do not want to be too far, so picking a school that is a couple of hours away or less is a better option for you.  The weather, landscape, and distance are vital to the college decision-making process.  

“I chose Delaware because I loved the campus, the community, and the opportunities I would get through the honors college,” said senior Marissa Cichon.

Next, after looking at where the campus is, look at who lives on the campus. Today, we live in a society surrounded by all different types of people with other ideas, interests, and beliefs.  If you have a particular religion, race, or sexuality, certain schools may be better and more supportive of your community and interests than others.  In addition, judge if you see yourself as a part of the social scene at an institution.  For instance, if you aren’t a partier, perhaps you would be overwhelmed by something like a Big 10 school.  Or, if you are opposed to Greek life, find colleges where sororities and fraternities are not as prevalent on campus.  Maybe you do not like going to sports events or giant football games.  If that is the case, you probably would prefer a school with more emphasis on academics. 

Furthermore, another piece of advice to keep in mind when choosing a college is size.  For some undergrad institutions, the classes will not be like high school.  Depending on the school, you are in a situation where you are taking a course in a big lecture hall filled with a hundred to two hundred students.  If you are the type of person to be overwhelmed by this possibility, look  more into small to medium-sized schools.  On the other hand, if you are very extroverted and thrive on meeting new people, a larger university will probably better suit you than a small liberal arts school.  Choosing a school that is the right size for you is just as important as finding one with the best location or cost.

“I always liked the idea of a school like Penn State, but when I finally walked on campus, it just felt right.  The people were super welcoming, and I felt at home,” said senior Maddy Craig. 

A college or university is more than just its prestige and colors.  It is a place where you will live, make friends, develop and learn.  Therefore, picking the environment that is right for you is the most important to understand in this challenging process.