Committing to College: Things to Consider

Hooray! You and your kid made it to the final phase of the college admissions process! How to decide which college? May 1st is decision National Decision Day, but I recommend not waiting until the deadline to make your commitment since you'll have to apply for housing, which can be complex because most colleges are first come, first serve. Make sure to add a housing application to your timeline as you pick the college. But there is still time, so take advantage of it to determine which college will fit your kid and you. Below are some things to consider.

Money Matters

Comparing the finances of each college that will not leave you or your kid with college debt is critical. Suppose you can't afford out-of-state tuition (including room, board, and travel expenses), but your kid wants to attend this college. Picture what happens in four or five years of your kid's life. Your kid will have to manage their finances post-college, like monthly car payments (+ car insurance), rent, entertainment, and food with a first-job budget; having college debt is another stress factor for 21-year-olds that may be avoided. In that case, it's better to choose an in-state college or find a private college offering better financial deals than an in-state one. For a bachelor's degree, in-state college is a better deal. If your kid wants to go to graduate school, and that field has a good return on investment (ROI), then taking out a student loan should be considered. Research the salary of their future profession and see if ROI will work in your kid's favor.

Distance

Live on the East Coast and your kid is considering attending college in California? You'll have to consider the costs of flights (and how many daily flights are available). The time zone difference could leave everyone feeling disconnected. If there is an emergency, it will take longer to reach your kid. Do you know a person in California who could help your kid if something goes wrong? How to deal with moving day? Where can your kid store her dorm stuff in the summer? These are a few things to consider and adding to your budget when deciding on the right school.

If your kid's future college is less than an 8-hour drive, and the time zone is only an hour difference, this could be a plus factor. You still need to figure out the flight variables (cost and how many flights daily) and logistics, but at least the moving day will be simpler.

Revisit the Campus

Tour the campus again, but spend a day or two exploring the campus. Read a book at the college's main library, eat at the cafeteria (if possible), sit in on a lecture, go to a sports game, follow the college's social media, etc. Try to get the most realistic feel for the school. Also, explore the off-campus area. Is there public transportation on campus and off campus? How cold or hot does it get? Check out the crime report at the college and nearby city.

Dorm Options

If you can't see the dorm room, go to YouTube and search "Dorm Tour [insert school name]." Ask the admissions officer or tour guide if an on-campus dorm is guaranteed for a first-year and what happens after the first year. You may have to plan for off-campus housing for the remaining years and should add that to the list of pros and cons. Other questions to ask include: Can you stay in the dorm room during spring break? Will you have access to the cafeteria? Do dorm rooms have AC?

Spending Money

Should you give your kid allowance money to spend on non-college-related things? Or should they work over the summer to pay for non-college-related things? However your family will tackle this issue; it should be part of the overall college budget and discussion.


Here are some more resources.

15 things to do after submitting your tuition deposit

You Made Your College Choice: What’s Next?

The Essential First-Year College Dorm Checklist

You've Decided! What's Next?