Once you are in your last year or two of high school, its time for you to decide the college or university you want to apply to for further studies. It certainly is not an easy decision to make as you have to consider many things before you can take the final step. For some students this may be the most difficult task they can imagine because their choice will have a great impact on their lives as the years spent in college will shape their future. But it no reason for your to worry either. All you need to do is to carefully weigh your options based on the five factors that are given below. They will help you to make up your mind.

Try and consider the various areas of study carefully.
As a student, you will have to decide the occupation you wish to pursue in future.  This will in a big way help you to make your decision. There are many colleges in the US that offer unique programs of study to students that happen to be outside mainstream areas of study. You may be opting for subjects such as Agriculture, Industrial engineering etc. These are a few examples of study courses that are not found in every college or university. It is natural for you to be undecided. Do not be in a rush. Take your time and try not to make this decision based on an area of study. It is seen that an average college fresher is likely to change their major almost 5 times before graduation.

You need to compare the tuition rates of different colleges.
You will have to consider the cost to attend college as that is important. You have to make a list of different colleges and see what courses they offer and what their tuition rates are. You may have to apply for educational loans or take financial assistance from home to study. Thus, you aim should be to identify the best college that offers the courses you wish to study at a reasonable price.

How much time it takes to commute?
This is also a factor that you may have to consider while choosing the college for yourself. Do you want to stay closer to home or would prefer to move far away. If your college is within the driving distance, then you can drive down to college and pursue your studies. Or else you may have to apply for hostel accommodation.

Decide on a college where family and friends are studying.
It is always advantageous to join a college that family and friends already attend. You may feel a bit isolated in an unfamiliar environment. But if you have known faces around you it can give you the desired confidence. You will excel in your studies and spread your wings sooner than expected.

Visit the College Campus
If you visit the campus of your prospective colleges, it will help you to reach a better decision. You have to feel comfortable in the college environment where you wish to study. Facts and figures will not be able to give you enough information about a place. When you visit the college campus in person, you will see for yourself the campus life that exists there and that will help you to make up your mind. After you have considered these factors carefully, it will be easy for you to choose the right college to study. These study years are invaluable as it prepares you for the future. You will have to make sure that you are able to select the college that will help you to study the courses you want and make you realize your dreams.