Happy May 1st, seniors!
May 1st is National Decision Day! May 1st is when pre-enrollment deposits are due for many four year schools. For many students, it's the last possible day to make a decision on where they want to go to school.
Not all schools adhere to this deadline. There are many schools (SUNY Orange, for instance) that will accept pre-enrollment deposits throughout the summer. Make sure to look into the deadlines of all your accepted schools.
Here are some factors to consider when making your college decision:
- Academics: Does the school offer the major(s) you have in mind? How strong are their programs? Do they have a wide variety of majors in case you change your mind? How selective is the school? Are there a lot internship opportunities?
- Financial: How much does the school cost after your financial aid packages? Are scholarships renewable for all 4 years?
- Campus Location: How far away is the school? If the college is across the county, can you afford transportation for college breaks? What kind of area is surrounding the campus? Big city? Quaint college town?
- Campus Size: Are you considering a large school with over 10,000 students? Maybe something smaller than Middletown High School with less than 2,000 students? Either way, do you want to be a big fish in a little pond or little fish in a big pond?
- Extra-Curriculars: What types of clubs and extra-curricular activities does the school offer? Greek life? Sports? Are there are a lot of events happening during the week and weekends?
- Other Important Factors: Study abroad programs, housing options, diversity, food, and anything else that is important to you.
