The time has arrived for high school seniors to make tough decisions. Seniors have to choose between the acceptance offers they have received and decide where they will go to college this fall.
Seniors should involve parents in the decision. Some of the important things to look at as each offer is considered are:
- the best program of study for your major
- the most effective job placement program and best job placement rates
- the best on-time graduation rate
- the lowest drop out rate
- the most reasonable cost for what is offered
- how much financial assistance is offered through admissions/financial aid/scholarships
- whether a college offers desired extracurriculars
- the safety report for each college and safety measures provided
- whether the college has housing sufficient to serve students
- whether the college offers internships and study abroad
- the distance each college is from home
- whether a freshman can bring a car to campus
- the level of health services offered
- whether the college offers chapel services & faith-based student programs
- how friendly campus staff has been
- how similar you are to the students at each college
This is a decision that requires some research, interviewing and negotiating as a family. Avoid letting less critical elements like athletic team success (unless you are an athlete), the popularity of the college with peers, the prestige of the college with peers or glitzy promotional materials affect the decision. The key indicators for this decision should be academic quality, graduation and career outcomes, services provided, price, safety and living conditions.
