I've applied to college... What's next?

You've applied to the colleges/universities in which you were interested, and you're starting to hear back from them.  There are a lot of things to consider before you make your final decision. We hope the info below will help you with the next steps.

How to Make Your Final Decision

You Got Accepted - Now What?
"Don’t worry about choosing that one perfect college — there’s no such thing. The bottom line is that college is what you make of it: What you do while you’re there matters more than the college name on your diploma. Here’s how to make your decision." (CollegeBoard)

Choosing the Right College When You've Been Accepted to Several
"Sifting through options to find the best academic and personal fit can feel overwhelming, but this guide exists to help walk students through the process, provide expert advice and answer common questions." (Accredited Schools Online - Nov 24, 2020)

Top 15 Mistakes to Avoid in Choosing a College
"Afraid of choosing the wrong college? Avoid these 15 common blunders students most often make." (fastweb - Jun 23, 2020)

College Comparison Worksheet
Evaluate each school in the areas listed, then compare your evaluations. (Minnesota Office of Higher Education)

Paying for College

5 Things Every Family Should Know About Paying for College
"For many families, paying for college is one of the biggest financial decisions they’ll make. College tuition is the highest it’s ever been — and the financial aid process is anything but clear." (NPR - Feb, 17, 2021)

A Guide to Understanding Financial Aid for College
"Many families are shocked by a college's sticker price. While the price of tuition can be overwhelming, college financial aid can make higher education affordable." (U.S.News & World Report - Dec 7, 2020)

How to Read Your Financial Aid Award Letter
"Reading and understanding your financial aid award letter is a key part of assessing the cost of your college education. Unfortunately, there’s no standard and with lots of jargon award letters can be difficult to understand. Add to that offers from multiple schools and it can get confusing quickly. To simplify the process, let’s take a look at how to read your financial aid award letter to better understand your financial aid package." (College Ave Student Loans)

Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer
"Every financial aid offer letter is different, but the key terms are similar across colleges. Use this guide to help make an informed financial decision about where to go to college."
(Common App)

Next Steps in Managing Applications

Next Steps in Managing Applications
Notes from Xavier counselors on other things to consider.