By Violet W
Choosing a college can be a tough decision for teenagers. You might have tons of options with a variety of influencing factors. For those who are nervous about making a mistake when choosing a college, here are some of the biggest things to avoid.
Choosing a school based on where your friends are going
The school that is right for you won’t necessarily be the one that is right for your friend. You’ll likely have different financial situations, major goals, and learning styles. Instead of relying on where your friends are going, consider what you want from a school and find a university that fits those needs.
Choosing a school based on its athletic teams
For example, Butler University saw a huge increase in applications after their basketball team appeared in the NCAA finals. This effect even has a name: The Flutie Factor, named after Boston College Football quarterback Doug Flutie. He led the team to an upset win, and the following year, BC saw a huge increase in applications.
Choosing a college based solely on location
Many students want to stay close to home, but they might not be considering a wide variety of options. By expanding your scope, you might discover your dream school that is a little far from home, but still easily accessible for a weekend home.
Choosing a school based on how hard it is to get into
When deciding what is right for you, you shouldn’t make the decision based solely on how selective a university it is. Of course, it would help if you only look at the admission rates when you are applying to schools to make sure you have a balanced college list, but that shouldn’t be a factor once you have been accepted.
Choosing a school based on rankings
This is one of the biggest mistakes that students make. How highly ranked the school does not affect your success at the institution. Consider what you want out of a university first to ensure that you find the right one for you.
Make sure you are doing your research before you commit to a school. Visit the school before possible, and make sure you consider every aspect of the college admission process.
(The writer is a College Counselor & Outreach Coordinator with Moonprep.)
