The Most Important Features You and Your Teen Should Consider When Choosing a College

Graduating from high school and entering the world of college is an exciting, yet terrifying time for both parent and child. High school dances and football games fade away as you consider the future at a young 18 years of age. One way to make it more exciting than terrifying is to plan ahead and know what to look for when choosing a college.

Kids hear names like Harvard, Yale and Princeton and often set their sights on them with no understanding of why they are so revered or why so many want to go there. Many spend years working themselves to the bone to solidify a good grade point average and ACT or SAT score, only to find that they missed the entire high school experience to get into a school that doesn’t suit them or their dreams.

As we work to educate on ways to be prepared for parenting and all the important decisions that come with it, we’ve put together a list of things to consider before you and your child choose a college, and they may not be the things you expect to hear. 

Kids often get mixed messages about college. They’re told they have time to discover what they want to do and nothing is fencing them in, but within one or two years of graduating high school, they have to make crucial decisions about their future and career. Studies show that students do better in school if parents are involved and actively engaged, so your kids are already one step ahead if you’re here.

One of the biggest factors in where kids go to school is the cost and affordability. Students who apply for financial aid through the federal government often find that their parents are expected to contribute unrealistic amounts in the tens of thousands, and this can affect where they attend school. 

Some students qualify for Pell Grants if their household income is low enough. Those with a higher income are completely exempt from this option and may be forced to rely on student loans or their own savings. This can be difficult to balance for a family that brings in a higher income but requires the students to manage their own tuition. 

One way to offset the cost of tuition is to look at different housing options. In many situations, the lower housing costs make the higher tuition worth it, or vice versa. If you decide to take out student loans, it’s important to understand the repayment options and amounts in relation to the average salary for the likely career.

Housing is almost as important as tuition. Whether you choose an on-campus option or an off-campus one, the cost and location may make or break your decision.

On-campus housing like dorms often comes with built-in benefits like meal plans (for an extra fee), extra security and proximity to campus. Off-campus options like apartments managed by rental companies provide extra freedom, bigger rooms and a bit more privacy. Every person is unique and all parents should discuss their preferences with their students before choosing.

If you wait too long when choosing a college, housing can be hard to come by. Most students sign a year-long lease, but those who leave mid-year can sell their leases to incoming students. It is possible to pick up housing later in the process, but we don’t recommend it. Try to choose in early spring so you can register for the apartment you want for your child in terms of safety, price and convenience.

This is a difficult one because many students aren’t sure what they want to study when they enter a university. If your student is unsure about their future but needs to get their general education credits done, then there are more options. If your child is ready to start a program or jump right into a major, it’s important to know what programs the school offers.

Some schools change, drop or add programs each year. Don’t just assume that a school keeps a program, but check it out before you apply and register. Try to meet with an advisor in the program to determine what the future looks like before you choose a college.

Being close to home can be a blessing and a curse. It’s nice to come to raid the pantry or visit Mom and Dad when they’re feeling homesick, but it also provides a comfort blanket that may keep them from meeting new people and having new experiences.

If your child needs special support or medical help, it may be necessary for them to be closer to home. If they need to branch out and find their own space in the world, it’s better if they are farther away. While a young adult will drive an hour or two to come home every weekend, they may pause at the thought of a four or five-hour drive or the hassle of a flight. This allows them to take part in school activities that complete the college experience.

Community colleges average around 5,000 students at one time, which means smaller class sizes. Some of the country’s largest colleges have more than 70,000 students, which is an entirely different ball game than a smaller school.

The amount of students can affect security, acceptance rates, difficulty in getting into a program and as mentioned above, class sizes. Larger schools also give students a better platform to get on the national stage through sports or academics. Some students do better in a smaller, more intimate setting, while others thrive with thousands of new people to meet. It’s important to understand your student’s learning style and ability to function in large groups before choosing a college. 

Each setting provides unique challenges to socializing. Bigger schools mean you don’t run into the same people as often, but there is a wider variety of personality types to choose from. Smaller schools mimic a high school setting and may be more comfortable for shyer students, but often lack diverse options for new relationships.

This is one factor many parents forget when they’re planning high school schedules and applying for college. Junior and community colleges are great places for those who want to ease into a larger campus, but they are virtually worthless for someone who was actively involved in college courses in high school.

The first two years of study are usually spent on general education classes like math, English, history and science. These are also popular classes for students to take in high school because they’re cheaper. If a student ends up at a two-year junior college but their general education courses are already done, there’s almost nothing for them to accomplish.

Probably one of the most important things to consider when choosing a college is what your child plans to do after they graduate from college. If they plan to pursue any type of graduate degree, this plays a large part in the college they attend.

Some graduate degrees are extremely competitive, and admissions boards factor in the university attended heavily. Others care more about GPA and quality of work and less about where they attended school first. If your child has expressed any desire to obtain any type of graduate degree (a medical degree, law degree, doctoral degree, etc.) they may want to attend a college or university with a respected program that feeds into that ultimate goal.

Ultimately, the decision is an individualized one that depends on many factors: your child’s learning style, your family’s income, your plans and your proximity to different schools. One thing it’s important to remember: even if you “mess it up” there are always ways to correct it. While choosing a college is a big decision, changes can always be made if something doesn’t work for your child.