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How do you make the decision on where to attend college when you are torn between two different schools #Spring25?

Help deciding on where to attend college

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Thank you comment icon If you could state what two colleges you need to choose between, I could provide some advice for you which can be specific to the two colleges. Michelle M.
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Kirthi’s Answer

Hi Jordan. That's a great "problem" to have, but it's a stressful one. When two schools look good, it's easy to get analysis paralysis.

The best way to break the tie is to get this out of your head and onto paper. Stop thinking in terms of "which school is better" and start thinking in terms of "which school is better *for me*."

Here’s a practical, step-by-step way to make your final decision—no tables required.

1. The Money Test (The "Gut Check")

First, be brutally honest about the cost. This is often the tie-breaker. Grab a piece of paper and make two simple lists:

School A: Net Cost
* Tuition & Fees: $XX,XXX
* Room & Board: + $XX,XXX
* Scholarships & Grants (Free Money): - $XX,XXX
* ---------------------------------
* Total Loans Needed: $XX,XXX

School B: Net Cost
* Tuition & Fees: $XX,XXX
* Room & Board: + $XX,XXX
* Scholarships & Grants (Free Money): - $XX,XXX
* ---------------------------------
* Total Loans Needed: $XX,XXX

Now, look at the two "Total Loans Needed" numbers. Is School B *really* worth $20,000 more in debt than School A? This one comparison can sometimes end the debate.

2. The Decision List (The "Logic" Part)

This replaces the complex matrix. List the factors that *actually* matter to you and score them. It's the same math, just written out.

First, list your factors and their "Importance" (1 = low, 5 = critical):
* Academics (Program strength): 5
* Net Price (From Step 1): 5
* Career Services (Internships, alumni): 4
* Campus Vibe (Culture, clubs): 3
* Location (Distance, city vs. rural): 2

Second, score each school and do the math:

School A
* Academics: 5 (Importance) x 4 (Score) = 20
* Net Price: 5 (Importance) x 5 (Score) = 25
* Campus Vibe: 3 (Importance) x 5 (Score) = 15
* Location: 2 (Importance) x 4 (Score) = 8
* GRAND TOTAL: 68

School B
* Academics: 5 (Importance) x 5 (Score) = 25
* Net Price: 5 (Importance) x 3 (Score) = 15
* Campus Vibe: 3 (Importance) x 3 (Score) = 9
* Location: 2 (Importance) x 3 (Score) = 6
* GRAND TOTAL: 55

This gives you an objective winner based on your own priorities, no table needed.

3. The "Gut" Test (The "Feel" Part)

After you've done the logic, check your gut. This is the final tie-breaker.
* The "T-Shirt" Test: Imagine you're at the mall and you see a t-shirt for each school. Which one are you more excited to buy and wear?
* The "I Go To..." Test: Say it out loud: "I go to School A." Then say, "I go to School B." One of them will probably feel more "right."
* The Coin Flip: Assign one school to "heads" and one to "tails." Flip a coin. Before you even look at the result, which side are you *hoping* it landed on? That's your answer.

If your logical list (Step 2) and your gut (Step 3) both point to the same school, you have your winner. If they disagree, trust the data you built in Step 2—it's based on what you *said* was most important to you.

Good luck. You've got this.

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Optional next steps:

* First optional step: Make that financial list. It's the most objective way to start.
* Second optional step: Find the "Academics" or "Majors" page for both schools. Look at the specific classes they offer for your potential major.
* Third optional step: Talk to current students or recent grads from both programs (LinkedIn is great for this). Ask them one question: "What's the one thing you wish you knew about the school before you started?"
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