I want to first formally congratulate you and your parent(s) / guardian(s) on your acceptance to multiple colleges. While it may or may not be the case that you were admitted to the university of your dreams, having the ability to choose between multiple prospective campuses is always something you should be proud of. Today’s article is focused on the next steps you should consider when weighing the options that you have, as each college you have been admitted to will offer different options.
Step 1: What are you looking for?
It may seem like a basic question, but surprisingly, many students fail to first sit down and list out their priorities when it comes to college acceptances. It is important to realize that a question like this shouldn’t be taken lightly. The answer to what is most important will vary based on each individual. Is it financial support? Internship or research opportunities? Doing study abroad programs? These choices will shape what college you may want to attend. As a result, priorities can be subject to change. It is important to remember that getting admitted to college is only the beginning.
Step 2: Determine the Importance of Financial Aid, Loans, and Scholarships
This is a deeply personal question that each family must realistically come to grips with before determining which schools are really up for consideration. Some families will have the luxury of enough income to afford a full priced college tuition (or even multiple at once). However, most families do not have this luxury. In this situation it is important for these families to determine a financially responsible budget and balance that against financial aid offers from accepted colleges. The first important point of distinction from a financial aid package to recognize is the difference between financial aid and academic/athletic scholarships. While financial aid adjusts based on your family’s income, scholarships usually have stipulations and stay capped at the value that it is awarded. Also, if you are coming from a lower socioeconomic status, it may not be worth the amount of loans you need to take out at times to attend a particular college. This could mean potentially giving up an acceptance to a “more prestigious” institution in favor of going to a comparable university that is economically more viable for the family. That being said, before you despair from seeing a disappointing financial aid package be sure to first talk to the Financial Aid Officer of the respective school to see if it is possible to lower the amount of loans and increase the amount of aid you can receive from the university.
Step 3: To the student: Take some time to understand the school before you choose to live there for 4 years.
While you may have a particular preference to choose a state such as California over out-of-state universities, I recommend that you do not automatically default to this line of logic. Rather, I recommend that you as a student take the time to travel outside of California before making a decision as to which school they wish to go to. If possible I highly recommend you to attend pre-freshman orientations to campuses you like most. If finances are restricted, I further recommend that each of you reach out to the schools they are interested in to see if some of the cost can be subsidized. Visit the campus and interact with current students at their respective universities to get a better idea their campus culture and see if its a fit with what you expect.
The other suggestion I have is to look at what resources and outside opportunities are available to you as a student at that school. Not only look to see if you like the environment and available restaurants are around the school, but also see if there are a number of organizations and companies that match your interests. By being nearby, it allows you to have the chance to gain opportunities such as internships and attend events in the area.
In the end, the important factor that you must remember is that your happiness should be a priority. Make sure to do some research, talk to people, and find out which school makes you feel like your best self. By finding this balance, you will maximize the opportunities and friendships that you will make at the university.
Once again, congratulations to all of your achievements. Royal Education is proud of the work we do in college counseling, and we thrive to be the best in bringing the best out of each student that we work with. Feel free to reach out to us through the following outlets if you have any questions about our services, or about anything else:
Website: www.royaled.net
Phone Number: (818)-275-3424
Facebook: www.facebook.com/royaleducationinc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/royaleducation
