College Decision Time

Your high school career is winding down. In these final weeks, it's tempting to slack off, but be sure to always keep your eyes on the prize: your future as an incoming freshman at the college of your choice. As acceptance letters and financial aid packages start rolling in, you'll soon need to decide where you'll spend the next four (or more) years of your life. It may seem overwhelming at first, but once you have everything ironed out, you're bound to feel much better. Consider the following scenarios and advice for how to deal with each.

You Didn't Get into Your First-Choice School
You had your heart set on the Ivy League, but rejection letters soon prove this to be impossible for the fall semester. You worry that if you attend a state school, you won't receive the best education and training possible to prepare you for life in a volatile economy. Don't stress. State schools often provide smaller classes, personalized attention, and much smaller price tags, which will help you and your parents out in this tough economic climate. There's also always the option of starting out at one school and transferring to your preferred institution later on. No choice is permanent.

You're Torn Between Several Great Schools
You applied to several schools, all of which you think could provide you with a great college experience. You figured that you'd be rejected from at least one of them, making your decision that much easier, but the acceptance letters continue to pour in.

Decisions, decisions. It's time to really get down to business. Make a list of what you are looking for from your college experience. Would you prefer small classes or large lecture halls? Personal attention or anonymity? A school with an active social calendar or someplace more laid back? If this doesn't help you narrow it down, consider the location. In-state schools are likely to boast considerably cheaper tuition and make any weekend trips home much less expensive as well. If all of the schools you're considering include programs you're interested in studying, consider which school's program will be the most intensive.

If you're still stuck, consider what other courses are available that might interest you. Most universities include some sort of general education program, where you'll be exposed to a wide variety of subjects regardless of your declared major. Say you plan to major in Business but also have an interest in Marine Biology and would like to take an intro course in it. Which school would best fulfill those needs?

The Price Tag for the School of Your Dreams is Too High
You were accepted to your ideal university, but you expected to receive more financial aid than you actually did. Here, you have a few options. You can attend a cheaper back-up school, apply for more financial aid, or find a job to help supplement your income. If you're still dead set on this school, why not try applying for more scholarships? Utilize websites like FindTuition.com and CareersAndColleges.com to seek out new financial aid sources. There are still many scholarships to be had, some of them significant. In addition to this, you can always work part-time to help finance your education. This has become a reality for many students today, and it can help you to lighten your financial burden.

Lesser known is the option of bargaining. Say that you were accepted at the school of your dreams, but their financial package just isn't generous enough. Admissions officers are aware of the intense financial pressure many students face today, and may be willing to work with you to offer you more money, especially if it means they will gain you as a student.

Choosing the right school for you can be a stressful experience, but in a few short months you'll find yourself embarking on a new adventure: your first time away from home and on your own. Many look back on their college experience as one of the best times of their lives and don't even remember the stress associated with making that final decision. Best of luck to you!