Step 1. Attend admitted student days-a high-value investment at the decision stage

               Watch how students interact with one another, is the campus friendly, vibrant, welcoming?  Sit in a class of your major-What is the teaching style?

Step 2: Organize Your Acceptance Materials

  • Create a dedicated folder for each college's acceptance packet

  • Gather financial aid award letters

  • Note important deadlines (typically May 1st for decision)

Step 3: -Identify your top 5-8 factors and, on paper, evaluate how each school stacks up using your own rating scale of 1-5 (Low-High)

Categories Should be: 

  • Academic Alignment

    • Strength of your major, (Psychology-so many different kinds)-Ask, do they have a grad school program in that major?

    • Faculty reputation/credentials in your major

    • Rigor of courses offered, and breadth and variety of courses-compare general education requirements of each college

    • Research Opportunities

    • Internship Connections

  • Social culture of the school. Connect with: 

  • Current students-Can you talk to someone who is currently in the major you’re accepted into?

  • Department advisors

  • Admissions counselors

  • Lifetime friendships and support groups- which one would have the strongest likelihood of friendships that support you and/or serve as advocates for positions.

  • Financial -Compare net cost after all scholarships and financial aid

    • Calculate out-of-pocket expenses. Consider: 

      • Total four-year cost projection

      • Scholarship renewal requirements

      • Potential additional financial support

      • Rank colleges by total cost

      • Calculate expected student loan debt, if applicable 

      • Identify any tuition payment plans

      • Look for hidden costs beyond tuition

Step 4: -Identify the gaps in your information and seek out answers  (e.g. if job placement after graduation is among the top factors, and you don't know how schools or graduates from certain majors fare, seek out answers

III. Decision-Making Strategies

A. The Future Projection Technique

  • Imagine yourself on each campus

  • Consider: 

    • Career preparation

    • Personal growth opportunities

    • Long-term networking potential

B. Red Flags to Reconsider

  • Overwhelming financial burden

  • Lack of academic support (especially for LD/ADHD students)

  • Misalignment with career goals

  • Uncomfortable campus culture

IV. Advice for Parents

  • Get the book:  Have Fun, Be Safe, I Love you. And Everything Else I Want to Tell my Kids College and Beyond, by Kate Hickey, 2022

  • Give your child the space to do all steps above; then have them come to you with the results of their evaluation and feedback from their visit

V. LAST BIT OF ADVICE for Students:

  • Follow intuition-your gut plays a large role in making a decision.

  • Don’t go for the most prestigious school simply because it’s known as “prestigious”