ivyleaguer

I am not sure if academic strength is the same as academic rigor...But that one had my vote.

cheesecakke

So I know that "good vibes" are a very important factor in deciding on a school, but how can you do that when you can't afford to visit them? I live pretty far away from the schools I want to visit and my parents refuse to spend all that money on college visits and stuff. Any suggestions? :/

marshmallow95

Academic strength in major, prestige, tuition, and geography are most important for me. Academic strength and tuition are pretty self-explanatory. Prestige I'm not extremely worried about, to be honest, because I'd rather be above average in a school instead of feeling like everybody is smarter than I am. I don't want to be struggling. Geography...I'd just don't want to go out-of-state because there's a lot of great schools where I am.

Caraloo3

I think all of that and more are really important. I started with a list of maybe 35 colleges, right off the bat I crossed of ones that had less than 1200 people or were in a really isolated location. then I went through absolutely everything else about them ( various reviews by people online were very helpful) and ended up with one perfect college, the one I had fallen in love with in the beginning.

To me the last and most important deciding factor was whether or not I thought I'd like the kind of people there, the whole atmosphere
Even though the second school on my list was like "the Ivy league of Art Colleges" I went with another because I kept getting the impression the people there were really arrogant and self-absorbed.

I had a couple safety schools but I never ended up applying because I knew I wouldn't be happy anywhere else. ( and I was pretty confident I'd get in, which I did!)

Caraloo3

This site is REALLY good for reading people's reviews and rankings to get a better sense of the school!

take out the periods obviously
S.t.u.d.e.n.t.s.R.e.v.i.e.w.(.com)

achform

most important factor is affiliation, reputation, feedback & Placement Record..

Icarus77

While I have difficulty choosing in this poll if a child is saddled 40k in debt all post-grad decisions will be governed by that 800 lb. gorilla.

CollegeWorkshop

In counseling students for four years, this is what they have taught me:

If the student is one that cannot wait to try that new thing in school, is motivated to do their best - a large school with a dazzling array of opportunities will be a great fit.
If the student has comments like " smart, knows what he/she is doing but I wish he would give us more in class..." consistently in school report cards, then a smaller college with small class sizes is the answer.

I have seen students from small private high schools who say that they really want the large university, anti-high school experience. These students who have parents and teachers who watch over them in High School find the first two years a challenge with no close supervision, in a large school.

I agree that each student is different but this is the best generalization that In can make regarding college selection in a forum like this.

Ravi Bala
CollegeWorkshop

laplatinum

So, at the end of the day, you have to make a deposit by May 1 and commit. Do you take the university that is good (but not top tier) because they are paying all tuition and fees (but not room and board at 15K) or do you take the university that has the national and international reputation and will cost you about 30K each year? My son keeps saying, "Undergraduate does not matter--particularly for law school where they want grades and LSAT." What do you all say to this?

FastNeutrino

Academic strength in intended major is easy for me. I'd go for a school like Drexel over a Harvard because Harvard doesn't exactly do much for engineering.
For the rest of my order:
T-2) Prestige and tuition: Generally it will be tuition, but if there's a school that is a bit more expensive and has more prestige, I'd go with that one.
4) Location/Close to Home: Really want to stay within a couple of hours of home.
5) Good vibes: Gonna be spending 4 years here... should probably feel comfortable.

EmptyMind

First of all, you need to decide what major you are interested to study in. Then find all the colleges that has good strength in that particular major. Finally shortlist the colleges based on other criteria, and visit their campus if possible. Now see which college stands out from all others and make your next move.

owlbay

College is overrated. Public school brain washes you from kindergarten that college is the answer to all you dreams. It isn't. The material is overly esoteric. The professors are out of touch with reality and care mostly about their own careers. Graduates can't find a way to make a living because the schools don't train them in anything. The job placement departments are a joke and sham. The so-called elite schools are the biggest lie of all. I suggest one go with the money. This country is going broke - save your pennies.

newsoul

Prestige. I would pick the more prestigious school even if I got into one with a better program for my major. The next consideration is how close it is to home, but I'd still pick the farther school if I had to. I only applied to the UC system, so cost plays no real role for my decisions.

CardinalGrl2017

Hi. I believe that the application process, which many pound as unfair, is actually essential to get you ready for competing in the real world. It's a Darwenian process. Those who make it their focused mission to get into a top school, stopping at nothing, should get in, and then be best positioned to take advantage of all that school offers. It's unfortunate, but we are competing against one another - it's like a real life Hunger Games! My choice is Stanford. I'm a junior, and every cell in my body is working on overtime to become a Cardinal. Wish me luck
@Cardinalgrl2017

amycompton

Public school are very important to me. if I'm going to live somewhere for 10 years i need to feel comfortable. if I'm not comfortable then i won't as happy, involved, or work up to my potential.