At this point in the year, most colleges have decided on which applicants to admit, and most of the senior class is left weighing their options or preparing to attend the college of their choice — even if it’s not their first choice.

Receiving your decisions after the long wait can take its toll, and making a choice that will potentially determine the next four years of your life can get stressful. The Vision is here to remind you that there is no wrong answer in this decision, and there will still be just as many ways to make the most of your college experience!

Making the right choice for you
Whether you applied to just a few schools or a few dozen, it’s very unlikely you were accepted to every one of them. This doesn’t mean you failed. Getting rejected happens to everyone. The next step is deciding between however many options you’re given. If you’ve already narrowed your list down to one, that’s great! If not, you still have plenty of time before May, but the important thing is that you’re excited and confident about wherever you end up going.

Campus location
There are plenty of factors to consider when making your decision. You should consider the location of each option and try to visit its campuses. That could be where you spend the next four years of your life, and being in a place you like is very important. It’s also very important to consider the programs each college offers and weigh them with your career interests. While high school and MSMS are opportunities to find what fields interest you, college is the place to decide what you want to do going forward. If a college has a program or major that stands out to you, that’s a good reason to consider it!

Financial cost
Another important factor is, of course, finances. High costs of attendance can take many universities off the table for most of us, and having financial security will undoubtedly make your college experience much less stressful and more fulfilling. If you are offered a good scholarship to a college you applied to, The Vision highly recommends you consider it, even if it isn’t your top choice. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider options. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing differences in costs of attendance and thinking it would be stupid to spend thousands just to go to a college you like better; this decision will massively impact the next four years of your life, and if you’re drawn to a financially viable place — but not the cheapest option — consider it!

Finding confidence in your decision
Regardless of where you end up going, you will have second thoughts about your decision. This is completely valid as it is a decision that will end up having large implications on your future and will immediately impact your education for the next four years. Whether it’s second-guessing your financial situation, worrying about moving away or feeling disappointed with where you enroll, it is important you can come to terms with and make the most out of your situation. 

After a long and competitive college application season, you found your next home. There’s still a lot of excitement waiting for you. But if you are unsatisfied with your final decision, transfer programs offer opportunities to explore other options in the future.

Congratulations, seniors!