Choosing colleges can be a bit stressful. There are a ton of things you have to consider when deciding what college is right for you. Here are some questions you should ask yourself when considering a college.

Can you see yourself here for the next 4 years?

Can you really? It’s simple to go on a college visit and fall in love, but you should really think long and hard about if this place is for you. Is it a college town? Do you like the surrounding city? Does it have a surrounding city, because surroundings are important. I learned that the hard way.

Is this place for you?

How does the campus make you feel? Could you call it home? Check out the dorms- most colleges have freshman dorms. Look into them and see if you are the kind of person who can live with someone else.

What does it have to offer you?

Were you offered scholarships? How good is the program? Look into the graduation rates and study abroad programs.

How far away from home is it?

Shockingly, that actually matters! Are you prepared to live far away? Do you want to commute if it’s close? Would you get in-state tuition(yeah that is a thing)?

Why would you want to go there?

What has drawn you to this campus? Do you have alumni in your family? Is this school known for your potential major? Let’s be honest, is it a party school? There is nothing wrong with a good party here and there, but you don’t want to base your decision on that.

Do you prefer a larger campus or a smaller one?

Having a preference in campus size can make or break a college experience. A larger campus usually means more lecture classes, and classes are considered small when they have about 200 students or less. A smaller campus guarantees a much smaller class size, with about 50 students at most.

Choosing a college is a process, and you cannot rush the process.