Once you've collected all those fat envelopes it's time for
you to make the decision on which college to attend. You may be
surprised to learn that the process has now taken a 180 degree
turn since you filed your application: You're now in the position
of making the colleges wait as they made you wait while they were
reviewing your application.
Colleges Will Help You Choose
Colleges that have offered you admission aren't going to wait
passively until you have decided. They will inundate you with
invitations to teas, receptions, campus "admission days," and
other events designed with one purpose in mind - to convince you
to accept their offer of admission.
It's particularly important for you to separate the important
information you need from the hype of the recruitment "yield"
programs (so-called because the colleges want to increase the
acceptance rate, or yield, of the students to whom they have
offered admission). This is also a time when you may receive
direct phone calls from currently enrolled students, faculty, and
local alumni. All these contacts can provide you with valuable
information. To take advantage of this bounty of interest in your
decision, you need to know what else can help you make the best
choice.
Making the Best Choice for You
The strategies that worked for you during the first part of
your school selection process can be helpful again now. Refer to
the list of factors you were considering when you decided where
you would apply for admission. See how well the colleges that
have offered you admission meet those requirements. Resist the
temptation to make a hasty decision until all of your options are
known to you.
The best way to make the final decision is to visit (or
revisit) the campuses that are still in the running. You may be
invited to attend special on-campus events held in honor of newly
admitted students. Keep in mind that these events are carefully
orchestrated to make the most positive impression possible on you
and your parents. But if you look beneath the hype, these events
can give you valuable insight into exactly what the campus
culture and opportunities are like. By staying overnight in a
residence hall, talking with students and faculty, reading the
bulletin boards, and eating the food in the dining halls, you'll
be able to tell if this is the place for you.
In addition, we recommend using a college comparison worksheet
or a search engine that lets you compare schools. As you
accumulate information and impressions about the colleges that
you've applied to, fill in a worksheet for each school. These
notes will help you compare the colleges and help you make the
right decision.
Reaching Down Deep
Whatever criteria you use to distinguish offers, the decision
ultimately comes down to you. Take it seriously and weigh your
offers carefully. A lot of money-not to mention four or more
years of your life—is involved here. A final thought...you're
probably sick and tired of everyone telling you that college is
an investment. Well, it's true. But think of it this way: As an
investment, you should expect it to provide returns for
you. The bigger the returns (in academics, career prospects,
lifestyle, etc), the better the chances are that it's the right
school for you.