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How should I navigate choosing a college right for me?
I'm going into college in the fall
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Dr’s Answer
Hey Leanne,
Honestly man, Picking the right college can feel like a huge decision, but it doesn’t have to be stressful—it’s more about figuring out where you’ll thrive and have the best experience. Think of it like choosing a home for the next few years.
First off, do you see yourself living on campus, soaking in the full college experience, or would you rather commute and keep your current routine? 🤔 That alone can help narrow things down.
Then, there’s the academic side. Do they offer your major (or a few that interest you in case you change your mind—which, by the way, is totally normal)? Some colleges have small, discussion-based classes, while others have huge lectures—what kind of learning style works best for you?
Next up: money. College is an investment, so compare tuition, scholarships, financial aid, and living costs. A dream school is great, but a place where you can graduate without drowning in debt? Even better.
And don’t forget campus culture! Some schools are all about school spirit and sports; others are more artsy or career-focused. Visit if you can, or check out YouTube vlogs, Reddit threads, and student reviews—real talk from real students is gold.
Also, remember that no choice is set in stone. People switch majors, transfer, and pivot all the time. The best college for you is one that gives you options, support, and a community where you feel like you belong.
So take a deep breath, explore your options, and trust yourself. You’ve got this an know we are here fo you man! 😎😉
Honestly man, Picking the right college can feel like a huge decision, but it doesn’t have to be stressful—it’s more about figuring out where you’ll thrive and have the best experience. Think of it like choosing a home for the next few years.
First off, do you see yourself living on campus, soaking in the full college experience, or would you rather commute and keep your current routine? 🤔 That alone can help narrow things down.
Then, there’s the academic side. Do they offer your major (or a few that interest you in case you change your mind—which, by the way, is totally normal)? Some colleges have small, discussion-based classes, while others have huge lectures—what kind of learning style works best for you?
Next up: money. College is an investment, so compare tuition, scholarships, financial aid, and living costs. A dream school is great, but a place where you can graduate without drowning in debt? Even better.
And don’t forget campus culture! Some schools are all about school spirit and sports; others are more artsy or career-focused. Visit if you can, or check out YouTube vlogs, Reddit threads, and student reviews—real talk from real students is gold.
Also, remember that no choice is set in stone. People switch majors, transfer, and pivot all the time. The best college for you is one that gives you options, support, and a community where you feel like you belong.
So take a deep breath, explore your options, and trust yourself. You’ve got this an know we are here fo you man! 😎😉
Updated
Korrin’s Answer
Drawing from my own journey and current efforts to support my son in making this important choice, I want to share some steps that have been helpful. We began by using a website like niche.com to create a list of schools that matched our general criteria. My son then tailored this list based on his preferred major, how far he wanted to be from home, classroom size, and other factors. Next, I recommend using the NPC calculator available on school websites to estimate your out-of-pocket expenses. Targeting schools where your stats place you in the top 25% of admitted students can increase your chances of receiving merit aid.
During my own college years, I lived at home and commuted to a local state university to earn my engineering degree. I balanced a full class load with work. It was challenging, and I sometimes envied friends who studied away from home, but it was what my family could manage financially. Now, I am truly thankful to be free of student debt. I urge all students to carefully consider what they can afford. Remember, you can have a fantastic educational experience wherever you go if you put in the effort.
During my own college years, I lived at home and commuted to a local state university to earn my engineering degree. I balanced a full class load with work. It was challenging, and I sometimes envied friends who studied away from home, but it was what my family could manage financially. Now, I am truly thankful to be free of student debt. I urge all students to carefully consider what they can afford. Remember, you can have a fantastic educational experience wherever you go if you put in the effort.
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Hi Leanne!
Choosing the right college is a BIG decision. You should start by thinking about if you will commute to school or if you will live on campus. You should then focus on key factors such as, academic fit, do they have your major? Do they have big classes vs. small or small classes vs. big classes? financial considerations, total cost, room & board, student loans. location & envirnment, campus culrure, and your career goals. You should research and gather information and then evaluate and narrow down your choices. You can look at college websites, do tours, college fairs and online resources to help you choose. This should be an exciting time, so let yourself have fun during this process!
Choosing the right college is a BIG decision. You should start by thinking about if you will commute to school or if you will live on campus. You should then focus on key factors such as, academic fit, do they have your major? Do they have big classes vs. small or small classes vs. big classes? financial considerations, total cost, room & board, student loans. location & envirnment, campus culrure, and your career goals. You should research and gather information and then evaluate and narrow down your choices. You can look at college websites, do tours, college fairs and online resources to help you choose. This should be an exciting time, so let yourself have fun during this process!
Updated
Kristina’s Answer
That’s exciting! Choosing the right college is a big decision, but the key is to find a school that fits your academic goals, interests, and lifestyle. Start by thinking about what’s most important to you—majors and programs, location, campus size, cost, extracurriculars (like dance/cheer), and career opportunities. If you haven’t already, visit campuses (or take virtual tours) to get a feel for the environment. Look into the clubs, sports, and student life to see if it matches what you want in a college experience.
Also, consider financial aid, scholarships, and the overall cost—college should be a great experience without putting you in too much debt. Talk to current students, professors, or even alumni to get insights. Most importantly, trust yourself—choose a place where you’ll feel comfortable, supported, and excited to grow academically and personally!
Also, consider financial aid, scholarships, and the overall cost—college should be a great experience without putting you in too much debt. Talk to current students, professors, or even alumni to get insights. Most importantly, trust yourself—choose a place where you’ll feel comfortable, supported, and excited to grow academically and personally!