The time has come for the class of 2025 to narrow down their college list and decide where they will attend next year. Choosing a college is one of the hardest and biggest decisions seniors have to make, influencing their academic and personal future. As acceptance letters continue to come out, students juggle different factors to find the best fit for them. It is a stressful but exciting time as they figure out where they will take the next step in their lives.

Picking a college includes a variety of factors that make the final decision much harder. Students having an idea of what they want in a school helps narrow down their options. When choosing a school, there is a wider range of considerations beyond just academics. Although it is important to think about the academic standpoint, another important factor is location. Some students prefer a place that has four seasons, and others prefer the weather to always be warm and sunny. Students knowing what type of climate they like helps narrow down their decisions. “I want to go somewhere with four seasons because I feel like that’s something that I need, especially living in Minnesota, as we have that,” senior Eva Rahn said.

Another big factor when choosing a college is the social aspect of it. Some students prefer to go to a school where they know a decent amount of people. Others like the idea of going somewhere where they know no one and establishing a new group of friends. Some students are drawn to schools with strong Greek organizations, while others may be drawn to sports teams, student clubs, or events that help them connect with others. Everyone has different interests so taking into consideration the social life of a school is important to guarantee students will find something they are passionate about. “Something I want is a good social life, I wanted Greek life and all the things that come with that,” senior Ellie Shideman said.

Each senior has different priorities. Some know exactly where they want to go after seeing one specific school, but others have to narrow it down to a few schools and make a decision from there. Ultimately, the goal is to find a place where they feel comfortable both academically and personally. “When I went to visit campus for the first time, I knew I could see myself there, and I knew it was the place where I wanted to go to school for the next four years,” senior Siri Gudmundson said.