By Carla Rubio

With just a few months left until graduation day, there’s one thing every senior in the nation has on their list of priorities: the next step. 

The entire process distorted in the advent of a pandemic. Asking for a teacher or counselor recommendation, and even going to the CAP advisor’s office, is no longer as easy as walking down the hallway and knocking on a door. 

It’s easy to say that seniors have been left with little to no help, having to result to the knowledge of the internet—a resource that is not as honest or understanding as an advisor or teacher. 

Now that college application deadlines have flown by, some are left waiting and waiting for the email that decides their future, while others have already received the news. 

For those that applied to multiple schools, unsure of where their future lies, choosing between them can be a herculean task. Here’s a list of steps to ensure a school is the perfect fit.

Money

First and foremost, every family has a budget—how much are they willing to spend? Now that some financial aid packages and scholarships are out, how much money is being offered? How much does the school cost per year? These are all questions that should be asked off the bat.

Money is the most important factor in deciding where to go. Unless Jeff Bezos has some give-away competitions in store, being in debt is a weight that takes decades to quell off anyone’s shoulders. After considering these questions, a rough idea of which college, whether it is a community, in-state or out of state institution, is the most ideal. 

Know your priorities

Now that money is out of the way, form a list of the remaining priorities. Distance, weather, majors, community, sports, and so on. Essentially, every factor counts. A school could be virtually perfect until it’s move-in day and the school is suddenly unappealing for any of the previous reasons. 

Don’t like the cold? No schools in the North, check. Don’t want to travel far from home? No out-of-state colleges, check. 

Pros and Cons

If there’s still trouble, make a list of the pros and cons of the choices—no school is perfect. To some, visiting the college can help get a feel for the environment and community. Yet, as this is not the best option due to COVID-19, various colleges and universities are holding Q&A meetings and virtual tours to appeal to indecisive students. 

Don’t stress it, focus on the positives and do your research.