Michael Milone, Ph.D.
Educational Consultant, Research Psychologist, and Writer
There are lots of choices to consider, including living at home or going away, big city versus small town, and which part of the country you would like to live in. Not many students think about location, but it might help you make an informed college choice.
Of course, you should consider lots of other things when choosing a college. If you know what you would like to study, that’s a really important factor. So are cost, size, transportation convenience, and financial aid.
But thinking about the location of your college can be kind of fun. If nothing else were a factor, where would you like to go? A college in New York City would be exciting if you like lots of activity. If you like the outdoors, a college near the ocean or in the mountains would be a lot of fun.
Even if you have a good idea of what college you’d like to attend, take a look at a comparable college in a different location. You might be surprised at how helpful this might be. Even if you don’t change your mind, you might find your favorite college a little more attractive.