| Congratulations! You've been accepted to three | | | | financial circumstances, then call the colleges to see if |
| colleges! Now you have to make a decision. How do | | | | they have funds to help you make the trips. Any |
| you decide on one college when all of the choices are | | | | number of colleges provide this kind of assistance. |
| good ones? | | | | Fourth, as you get ready to make your final decision, |
| Well, there are a series of things you can do. | | | | try to do it in a systematic way. For each top choice |
| First, identify what it is that you really want to in a | | | | college to which you've been admitted, make a list of |
| college: size, location, makeup of the student body, | | | | pros and cons and also rate each school on a scale |
| the feeling of the campus, how much access you | | | | from 1 to 10 (1 = not interested at all, 10 = totally |
| have to professors, etc. | | | | love the school). Certain colleges will emerge as you |
| Second, if it's important to you and your family, take | | | | go through this exercise. |
| a look at the financial aid packages. | | | | Finally, if you continue to be undecided, go with your |
| Who is offering you the best deal? However, if | | | | heart, not your head. |
| College A's financial aid package is superior to College | | | | Which of the schools on your list is the one that |
| B's, but you think you'd rather go to College B, call | | | | makes you feel good? Which college offers you the |
| the Financial Aid Office at College B to see if they | | | | most of what you want? Where can you see |
| can match College A's offer. | | | | yourself happy and involved for the next four years |
| Third, if you haven't done this already, visit your top | | | | of your life? Which school offers a student body that |
| choice colleges. If you go, try to visit when classes | | | | feels like you, a faculty that seem accessible and |
| are in session. And be sure to talk with current | | | | friendly, a nearby town or community that will be |
| students about what they like (and don't) about the | | | | good to live near and a campus that makes you |
| college. Also try to meet faculty members and check | | | | smile? |
| out different kinds of activities. Many colleges have | | | | You should know that regardless of whether they |
| pre-admit weekends (special days for newly admitted | | | | end up at their top choice school or not, most |
| students). If you can, attend these special events. | | | | students end up having a wonderful college |
| If making college visits is not within your family's | | | | experience, wherever they decide to go to college. |