In the world of college admission, can there be too much of a good thing? Sometimes. Read on.
If you're a high school senior who applied to college this year, you'll know soon who's accepted you. Some of you may get into every school where you applied. If so, congratulations!
<p>Having a pile of acceptance letters from schools you like can pose a problem. It's a happy problem, to be sure, but a difficulty nonetheless.</p><p>Perhaps you gained admission to your clear, first-choice college in December, through an Early Decision/Action application. Maybe, in your pile of acceptance letters, there will be one that suits you perfectly, making all the others unnecessary. If so, no problem.</p><p>What should you do, though, if you have three or four acceptances and none is a clear favorite? This happens more frequently than you might imagine. The solution to finding the right one lies in doing some careful review and consultation with your family.</p><p>If considerations such as location, student-body size, program offerings, and reputation are all about equal (and you detect no true preference stirring in your heart), then money has to be a major consideration. Financial aid packages arrive with the acceptance letters. Examine them carefully. Ignore the "sticker price" of the schools for a moment and go straight to the bottom line.</p><p>Which school's offer puts the smallest drain on your family's finances? Is there a clear winner now? If there's no other criterion for deciding, then money should help you decide. Don't forget that you can sometimes earn extra financial aid with just a phone call to the college's financial aid office. After you have satisfied yourself that you have the best-possible packages, then decide.</p><p>Remember, too, that you can make a quick visit between now and May 1, the traditional response deadline. Visits can sometimes sway the undecided. Please keep your parents involved in your decision. They maintain a large stake in your college education. Although most parents respect their child's decision on college selection, they can provide valuable perspective for that decision.</p><p>No matter where you end up going to college, compliment yourself on an admission process well done.</p><p>Be sure to check out all my admissions-related articles and book reviews at <a href="http://www.collegeconfidential.com/" target="_blank">College Confidential</a>.</p>
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