Make Your Decision & Prepare to Enroll

You’ve completed all of your applications and sent them in. Now you have acceptance letters from four schools—which one should you choose, and what's your next step?

First congratulate yourself on your success! Then take some time to recall your reasons for choosing these schools in the first place. All of them may fit your general criteria, but it’s time to refine your choices. Ask yourself:

• Which school most closely offers a concentration in the career direction you want to pursue? For example, if your ultimate goal is to work in information technology management, or e-commerce, or media and entertainment, you’ll want to choose the program that provides the most educational (and internship) opportunities in that area.
• Which school will provide the lifestyle and other practical considerations you want? Choose the school and program that offers you the best fit for your personality and preferences—in short, where you’ll be happiest. If you want a small-school environment that’s out of state but still within a three-hour drive of home, choose the closest match.
• Which school is presenting you with the best financial package? It may seem obvious that you want to choose the program that offers you the most financial aid, but consider your options. Maybe it would be smarter to attend the program that is offering you a partial scholarship-Work Study package than another that is offering a full student loan that you’ll have to repay later.

• Depending on whether you’ve been accepted, wait-listed, or even denied, you need to review your options. >>more
• Even if you have been accepted, you need to make certain that you meet (or can find the means to meet) the program’s enrollment requirements. >>more
• Reviewing your financial needs and planning your next steps is critical at this point. >>more
• If you’re currently working, you need to decide whether you can still balance your job and school responsibilities, or look at other alternatives. >>more
• It’s also time to deal with some very practical issues, like housing or finding a part-time job. >>more
• Finally, look into the possibility of internships to jump-start your future career while you’re still in school. >>more

This all may sound like a lot to handle, but get it out of the way now. When classes start, you’ll have enough to do.