Making a final decision on which college to attend

College Search & Selection
1

<p>For some background, here are the schools that have accepted me so far:
American University
Emerson College
Southwestern University (TX)
Trinity University (TX)
University of Houston
UT Austin CAP program</p>

<p>I've yet to hear from:
Northwestern
BU
Carleton
Bowdoin
Lewis & Clark</p>

<p>I've been going through a lot of struggles lately since getting back about half of my decisions from colleges. I'm in the happy position of having to choose between multiple offers. I've visited all these schools so far at least once before I applied (except for Emerson College), so I think I have some perspective on each of them.</p>

<p>I really don't know how I would feel if I actually did get into one of my more selective schools but had already sent my deposit to another school before then. To be honest, I would be happy at any of the schools where I was offered a place, and financially speaking, I know that my private schools are all going to be expensive. </p>

<p>My basis for making a decision rests on these factors: availability/strength of Journalism and/or Economics programs, and if both are available, the ability to double major or take a minor; interaction with professors and small class sizes; interesting, wide-ranging class offerings; strong career office; in or near a large city, and if not in a large city, very easily accessible to one; strong study abroad programs.</p>

<p>Cost is somewhat of an issue, but my parents have the money to pay for private school, and anything beyond that will (or should) be my responsibility. If I feel am getting a superior education, taking on debt is worth it. Plus, if my university is really that good, it will have a helpful, strong careers office, and I will be able to network well with people (students, professors, etc) who will help me find a good job after college so that I can pay off my debt more easily. </p>

<p>For those who have attended college/have been through this process, how did you decide on a school?</p>

2

<p>Wait until you know what you’re dealing with. Then, talk to some adults (teacher) who know you and know most of these colleges. Trust them. Write up some lists of criteria and compare two-by-two. (i.e. American vs Emerson, winner vs Southwestern, etc.)</p>

<p>PS: I don’t know your Texas schools at all, but I knew a girl who went to Emerson and was disappointed in their career-planning office.</p>

3

<p>Thanks, limabeans. I’m trying to stay as patient as humanly possible, but it’s extremely difficult. I have pro/con lists for each of the schools I was admitted to, so I’ll hold out until I get all my decisions.</p>

4

<p>Don’t know if this would help, but maybe you could use a campus photo from one of your choices as your computer wallpaper, then switch the pic to another campus every few days. Try to imagine yourself in the scene, and see if you feel more drawn to one campus than another.</p>

5

<p>It sounds like you should go to an LAC. Trinity and Southwestern are wonderful schools. I would wait to make any decisions till you hear back from Bowdoin, Carleton, and Lewis and Clark. From there make the decision on which is going to be the best fit for you and if you can afford it or not.</p>

6

<p>Well, I got rejected from Carleton, so that’s out of the picture. At this rate, I don’t think I have a very good chance at Bowdoin or Northwestern, since those schools are even more selective than Carleton. Makes my decision easier! :D</p>