If you were given the chance to decide, would you rather go to Harvard or a community college? While many may believe that choosing Harvard or other popular universities is the objectively correct choice, deciding which college to go to is not a one size fits all scenario.
Despite the fact that a one size fits all mentality is not applicable, students deciding which college or university they’ll go to are often faced with criticism from their peers regarding where they should attend.
A study by Gallup in 2023 found that 55% of K-12 students report feeling pressured by parents or other family members to get into a good college, and as of 2025, 22.3%-24% of undergraduate freshmen do not return for their second year of college.
A contributing factor of the drop out rate being due to the fact that they had only chosen their undergraduate school because of peer pressure.
The stigma that people have to go to a top university to be successful has only proven to be a harmful stereotype that isn’t true, often causing students to end up being unhappy in the university or college they were pressured into attending.
Choosing where to pursue education after high school is not an easy decision, requiring many factors to make a choice.
When considering what undergraduate school to attend, it’s important to consider all the components that would matter the most for students’ personal preference.
An important aspect is the affordability of the college or university, though a school with a more popular name may seem more appealing, they often cost more and are less financially attainable for most students,causing them to go into debt
The cost of attending an undergraduate school varies, but it often costs more for larger universities or out of state colleges. Students should consider the cost of tuition along with housing costs and the general cost of living in a specific area and take into account what may be more cost-efficient for them.
The major a student has may also be more relevant for certain undergraduate schools than others. Schools offer different opportunities varying from major to major, with certain majors having more competitive, prestigious programs than others.
Considering the student culture and life on campus also plays a major role in deciding what undergraduate school to attend.
While some students may thrive in a quieter social environment, others may thrive in larger social environments with greater opportunities to meet others through extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports.
Students should consider their preferences in terms of distance from home. When moving out of state for a university, it’s important to take into consideration the factors of living alone and adjusting to the pressures of the undergraduate school environment.
For some students like Senior, Alexa Maglalang, choosing to go to community college at College of the Canyons is the most suitable option for her, due to the fact that it’s,“An overall best choice money wise. Not only is it closer to home, but it has a nursing program she’s interested in.”
Other students are considering a different route, such as Junior; Ryley Adlao, who wants to go out of state, saying that it will“help him gain more independence and prepare for entering the work force in the future.”
Picking where to attend college or university is a big step towards the future. Students should be encouraged to choose which school will be the best for them without external pressure. Regardless of what schools Coyotes choose, a bright future awaits!
