It is about the time that seniors are looking over all of their acceptance letters and preparing to make a decision as to which college is the best choice for them – but what do they do next? Well, there are a number of things that seniors can do now.

First things first, take your acceptance letters and scholarship awards straight to the Career Center. Even if you don’t plan on attending a college that you got into, you still need to take the acceptance letter to Mrs. Grow so that she can document it and put it into the graduation program. However, that’s not the only thing that you can go to Mrs. Grow for. She can also assist you in finding more scholarships and working on financial aid so that you can afford your post-secondary education. As well, there are apps like Scholly that can match you with any scholarships that you are eligible for.

A lot of making your college decision, however, is about realistic thinking. It is the time where you really have to sit down and go over all of the important factors that go into deciding on a college, such as financial aid, location, housing, and job/internship opportunities. Sometimes “dream” colleges aren’t actually the best choice, and you may want to reconsider what you’re looking for in a school if the cost of the education is becoming a problem. Always keep the future and mind and consider how long it would take to pay off student debt. Of course, financial aid offices are there to help you, so whatever college you decide on, pay them a visit.

Colleges want to make sure that you get the most out of your education, and they are more than happy to make sure you make the decision that is right for you. That’s what student representatives and admissions representatives are for. Take full advantage of them and ask absolutely any questions that you may have. Transitioning to college is a big step and can be overwhelming, but these people are here to help you and guide you through it. In addition, after being accepted, most colleges will invite you to a preview or freshman day where you can get a better feel for the college and meet your potential professors. Going to events like these will also help you make your decision.

Someone who can tell you a bit about that is Celeste Brown (’17), who will be attending American University in the fall. Brown plans on double majoring in journalism and political science when she reaches college. When asked how she decided on AU, she answered, “I went on an overnight showcase there which allowed me to experience the environment as opposed to just doing a normal virtual tour. It helped me realize what living on campus would be like and I fell in love with the atmosphere.” Brown also decided to share some advice on applying. “Apply to colleges at the beginning of the school year if you can! I found out I got accepted in December which gave me a ton of time to figure out what I wanted to do.” Lastly, she shared what she is most excited for about going to college. “I’m looking forward to meeting people from other states and even other parts of the world. I’m excited to join new clubs and explore D.C.”

Getting into college is a huge moment for a teenager, so celebrate and get ready to make your decision!