High School Athletes!

Making the decision in which college you are going to attend is one of the biggest ones you’ll make in your life. Hence why it is so important to find the best college for you. This means a good balance of academics, athletics, and being able to enjoy your surroundings. To find the college that best fits you, where you will succeed, you must do your research.

There are plenty of things to consider when looking at colleges, especially when your parents also have a say in where you go. So where do you start? Here are 4 things to think about in your college search.

Major

Many high school athletes already know what they want to study in college, and some don’t. And that’s ok! Whether you know what you want to major in or you are bouncing between a few ideas, this should be one of your main criteria in selecting a school. What you choose to get your degree in can help determine your future and your career path. So, if you know what you want to study, make sure to target schools that have your major.

Cost

Student-athletes who earn scholarships still overlook the actual price of attending college. For most, they will only be earning a partial scholarship, not a full ride. In that case, you need to have a discussion with your parents to determine exactly what you can afford, with and without the help of financial aid.

Comfort

Your time at college should be one of the most influential experiences of your life. As a student-athlete, you will be able to study and earn your degree while being able to continue to play the sport you love. But take a second to ask yourself this question: would you want to go to this school if you couldn’t be on the team? There are certain circumstances (injuries, new coach, the sport gets cut, ineligible) in which athletes may find themselves without a team to be on. You need to be at a school in which you will still be successful, even without being on the sports team. Do they offer the classes you’re interested in? Do you like the campus? Are the dorms livable? Could you see yourself making friends or becoming a part of the town?

Size

Do you see yourself at a small school or a large school? Believe it or not, this makes an infinite difference in the campus’ atmosphere. Think about how you like your classes to be. If you like bigger classes and a larger campus, then maybe you want to go to a large University. You can get a good sense of how you feel about a school’s size when you actually visit a school, so it’s a good idea to take a trip to any schools you are seriously considering.