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Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Factors to overlook while choosing a college?

Hey folks! I'm trying to create a priority list of what to look for when choosing a college. I guess it's just as important to know what factors shouldn't carry as much weight. So, what do you think are some of the least important factors to consider?

a year ago

While it truly can vary from person to person, several factors generally hold less weight when choosing a college:

1. Perceived prestige: While it seems important, the name or brand of a school holds less weight than you'd think, particularly if it's not in alignment with your intended study area or your learning style.

2. Location, with some caveats: You aren't choosing a vacation spot. The larger emphasis should be on the academic and extracurricular opportunities. However, factors like the weather, urban versus rural settings, and distance from home can have more substantial impacts on your well-being and happiness.

3. Athletic programs: Unless you're planning to be a student-athlete, the caliber of a college's sports teams should not be a major deciding factor.

4. Size of the school: While this can affect your college experience, focusing on academic quality and available opportunities is much more crucial.

5. The campus appearance: A beautiful campus might offer a pleasant environment, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee a good quality of education or a robust student life.

6. Where your friends are going: Following friends to college can limit your opportunities to grow independently.

It's essential, though, that each student consider their own personal needs and values when making a college decision.

a year ago

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.