April 24

May 1 is National College Decision Day, the last day to commit to one school over all the others that accepted you. Some students have already sent in the deposit and even connected with roommates, but every year some students just can’t decide. If that’s you, you may be struck with analysis paralysis or maybe you don’t feel ready to leave home. Maybe you’re on the waitlist of your favorite college and you’ve been hoping to hear you’ve been accepted. (That usually doesn’t happen until after May 1.)

Whatever has kept you from making a decision, today, April 24, marks one week to Decision Day. I suggest doing a little work right now or over the weekend so that you can make that decision before the clock strikes 11:59 p.m. on May 1.

Think about these things.

• Realize that no school is perfect. You are choosing the best fit with the information you have right now. If you’ve been doing your research, you should have plenty of information to assess.
• Re-examine your values. What means the most to you? Access to professors? Discussion-based classes? Big-time school spirit? Proximity to home? Research opportunities? Make a chart with schools across the top and values down the side, and give each value a rating, like 1–5. Then see which school gets the most points.
• Think about Tuesday nights. Not the big game, not homecoming week. Just a regular Tuesday night. Where would you be? What are you doing? Who is around you? Which school feels best?
• Financial aid isn’t always final. If cost is an issue, call the financial aid office and tell them it’s a factor in your decision. See if there’s any way you can get more aid. The worst that happens is that they say no.
• Flip a coin. Heads, you go to College A; tails, to College B. How do you feel when the coin lands?
• Reach out to admissions or your counselor. Try to talk to a student like you at each school you’re considering. Prepare questions in advance. What are you worried about? Ask about that.
• Nothing is irreversible. I never suggest going to a school expecting to transfer—if you go in with that mindset, you won’t engage with your peers, professors, academics, or activities, and engagement is what makes your time successful. But if it doesn’t work out, you can transfer. Committing isn’t a life sentence.

I hope this helps you make your decision. Wherever you go, you take yourself with you. It’s you, more than the school you go to, that will make your college days happy and fruitful.