Many moons ago (before the age of computers and smartphones), young adults made college decisions based on many things like where they could get admitted, where their friends were attending, and social rankings (i.e.best party schools).  Often, students applied to schools they knew about – usually big name institutions and local schools.  According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), there are just under 6,000 schools in the US alone.  With the introduction of the “common app“, prospective students suddenly had access to schools they didn’t know existed and applying to schools became much easier.  Today it is not uncommon for a student to take the shotgun approach – applying to as many schools as possible and then narrowing down their choices based on where they were admitted.  This isn’t necessarily a bad approach (it’s at least a starting point) as it provides families with a pool of schools to compare in terms of cost, program availability, student body, etc.  I’d like to suggest some additional things to consider when making the decision about where to enroll.

It feels like more families are visiting more campuses before they make an enrollment decision.  This is great as it provides families with the opportunity to check out the campus, speak with administrators, and sometimes meet enrolled students.  It only makes sense that families want to get a better sense of where they are sending their offspring.  In addition to visiting campuses and comparing costs to attend, there are other things to consider when deciding where to attend.

• Academics: does the school you are considering offer the programs you are interested in pursuing and are they known for those programs?  Is the school recognized for its academic rigor?  All schools and programs are not created equal.  The school and program from which you graduate may have significant bearing on your career and future earnings.
• Total costs:  tuition plus fees, housing, parking, meals, financial aid, scholarships, discounts, travel costs for out of state students, etc.
• Google the school:  it’s easy to gather information about schools by searching for them online.  Looking at the school’s website is a good thing to do.  Beyond that, look for news articles that mention the school.  You may find out about things that are important to you like – campus safety, leadership turnover, accreditation issues, issues involving freedom of speech and more.
• Who sits on the Board of Regents?:  in today’s political environment, it’s a good idea to examine who sits on the Board of Regents (the body that governs the administration of the institution).  In some cases, regents are appointed by the state’s governor.  In other cases, regents are elected.  Either way, I always look for boards with members from all walks of life.  When a board consists of conservatives and liberals, first-generation graduates and legacy graduates, different genders and ethnic groups, and individuals with different life/career experiences, the governing of an institution is more balanced and stable.  Consider the values and school policies that are important to you and see what has been approved by the board and acted upon by the institution.
• Who teaches courses at the school?:  professors, faculty, guest lecturers, grad students
• What is the graduation rate at the school?:  According to the NCES, 64% of first-time students at 4-year institutions were graduating in 6 years as of 2020.  This statistic can vary dramatically by school and demographic group.  You can usually find graduation rates on the school’s website.
• What kind of student support services does the institution provide?:  Most schools offer  tutoring, success coaching (mentoring), academic advising and writing assistance free of charge.  Health care (including mental health) is also offered on most campuses.  Having access to these services is important – especially since, according to TimelyMD, 50% of students reported that mental health issues were their top stressor in 2023.  There may be a fee for those services.  Some campuses are now offering wrap around health services via the TimelyCare app.  It’s a good idea to find out if your student can receive care on campus or if your health insurance will be accepted by practitioners close to campus.

College is expensive.  College is an investment.  Take the time to thoroughly explore your options before making a decision – it will likely pay off in the long run.