Questions to consider
Will I fit in? Will this school provide me with the best opportunities for my future? How much debt will attending this school cause me? Can I live far away from my family and be happy? These are just a few of the questions high school students have to consider before choosing to commit to college.
The college application process is challenging and stressful enough, but having to choose the right college is just as difficult. High school students are expected to make life-changing decisions in a short time period, and it’s no surprise that often makes students wonder if they are making the right choice.
According to Concordia College, the most important factor for a future college student to make when choosing a college is perspective on the school. “Regardless of all the programs, opportunities, and scholarships, the school you choose should feel like a home, a place where you will be able to grow and develop not just academically but in all aspects of life.”
Factors to consider
Many factors go into the college decision such as location, price, campus life, majors/minors offered, and more. In a recent poll conducted with Norwin High School students, students were asked to name the top three factors that will affect their decision. The biggest concern for students when choosing a college was the cost, with 88.2% of students taking that into consideration. The next top factors were majors and minors offered and location.
“I think that factors of location and price may steer me away from possibly my favorite college,” said senior Julianne Kellar.
Unfortunately, too many students are in the same position as Kellar. Rather than students picking what could be the best fit for them, there are factors that are too intimidating that make kids not want to risk such a big decision.
While some kids may have a dream school and have no doubts, some kids are doubts, some kids are caught between multiple schools they think would be perfect for them.
“For me, my concern comes down to multiple colleges being good for me,” said senior Arnav Bedekar. “The fact that I can only go to one means I have to break down the finest details about the college.”
When asked, 60% of Norwin High School Students said that they are concerned that the school they chose or will choose may be the wrong school for them. Of those students, 44% said that they are not too stressed about choosing the right school first try, and if they are unhappy they will just transfer to a different school.
A four-year university is not the choice for everyone
Although 100% of the students surveyed said they would be attending college, that is not the only option. Some students are having a hard time picking where they will attend college, but some students have already decided that college is not for them. There are a lot of alternatives to college like immediately joining the workforce, taking a gap year, joining the military, community college, trade school, and more. With all these options, how do you know which ones are right for you?
“I chose to go to a two-year technical school instead of a traditional four-year university,” said senior Logan Gilbert. “I wanted to get into the workforce as quickly as possible with minimal debt.”
No matter what path someone takes after high school, it will require a lot of thought and will leave a lasting impact on the future. When choosing your future it is most important to choose what you feel is right and take all of your wants and needs into consideration.
