Location matters a lot more than prestige

I went through the whole application process over this last year, and honestly got so caught up in trying to get into the absolute “best” school possible, regardless of where it was geographically. The bulk of my research was essentially just looking at different rankings and judging schools almost entirely based on whether or not US News thought highly of them.

Now don’t get me wrong, the quality of academics can vary wildly from school to school, so if you’re really looking to go into a career that requires you to have an academically-intense undergraduate experience, definitely take into consideration rankings and overall professor quality.

However, there comes a point where you’re just splitting hairs trying to justify choosing a school ranked 5-10 spots higher, when the lower ranked school may actually be a better fit for you location-wise.

If you truly want to stay close to home (which I honestly wouldn’t recommend in the first place), why would you even be considering schools across the country? Or alternatively if you really want to get away, why would you be looking at schools only a few miles from home?

At the end of the day, you’re going to be most successful at the school you’re happiest, rather than someone where you’re absolutely miserable, and that starts with finding a place you’d actually enjoy living.

My final decision came primarily down to location, and I’m genuinely so excited I choose the school I did because it allows me to explore somewhere new and experience an environment that’s so different and unfamiliar from where I grew up.

I know that experience isn’t for everyone, but I was considering some schools that were technically ranked higher, but would’ve either been somewhere a lot more boring or felt way too much like home; I don’t think I would’ve been nearly as excited to start college if I didn’t choose a school in the place that I did, even if that school was “better” for what I wanted to do.

Please, if you’re someone going through the application process right now, at least consider what I’ve said. I know if I heard this a year ago I probably would’ve ignored it and called myself crazy, but I think it’s at least worth getting out there for people to consider.

Good luck to you all. I know how stressful everything can feel in this moment, but you’ll get through it.