Of all the choices your high schooler will make, selecting which college to attend is the most important. But, with so many options available, the college process can feel exciting and overwhelming all at once. The experts at Saint Joseph High School — a college prep high school in Metuchen, NJ — have these three insider tips to help your student make their decision.

Tips From a College Prep High School

1. Size

Does your student want the small, individualized experience offered at a private school, or do they want to experience life on a larger campus? During your campus visits, choose small, medium, and large colleges; talk to your student about the pros and cons of each. For instance, a big, bustling campus may offer lots of student activities and events, but they might have trouble accessing their professors because of larger class sizes.

2. Location

How far does your student want to move away from home? Talk about travel costs; if they’re on the other side of the country, they may only be able to afford to visit once or twice a year. Location will also impact their college experience, depending on their major. An urban campus in a large city may offer closer proximity to internship opportunities, while a suburban or rural university may offer more of a “college town” vibe that makes it easier to become part of the surrounding community.

3. Cost

For many families, cost is a serious deciding factor as their student narrows down their college choices, particularly because your student may have to pay a higher tuition if they’re interested in out-of-state schools. It’ll be easier to talk about cost once your student starts to receive college acceptances and subsequent financial aid packets, but you can hedge your bets by encouraging your student to apply to at least one in-state, public campus as a safety school.

Applying to colleges is a milestone in any student’s life. To fully prepare students for life after high school, Saint Joseph High School offers a rich, supportive educational environment with a firm foundation in faith and service.

Serving Middlesex, Union, Essex, Hunterdon, Somerset, and Monmouth counties, this all-boys, college prep high school works from an educational framework that encourages students to succeed and become lifelong learners. To learn more, call (732) 549-7600 or visit their website for additional contact information.