How to choose between colleges after you’re admitted
Compare each college’s cost after grants from its award letter, not the sticker price. Then check how students get into your intended major, look at first-year return and graduation rates, visit if you can, talk to a current student in that major, and confirm each college’s reply date.
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Put the costs side by side
Use each award letter’s cost after grants and scholarships for the first year. A loan is not a discount, and aid can change from year to year, so ask how it is renewed.
Check the path into the major
Some majors admit students after the first year, by GPA or a separate application. Ask how many students who want the major get into it.
Look at how students do
First-year return rate and graduation rate say a lot about support. Each college profile on this site shows both, from federal data.
Visit, or go to an admitted-student day
Sit in on a class if you can, and picture an ordinary week there.
Talk to a current student in your major
Ask what a normal week looks like and what they would choose again.
Confirm the reply date
Reply dates differ. For regular-decision first-year students they are often in early May; early decision, rolling and transfer dates are different. Check each college’s date, deposit amount and whether the deposit is refundable.
Compare colleges side by side →Questions to ask a current student →