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All across the country, college-bound high-school seniors and their parents are stressed about the decision of where to go. As a college professor for over thirty years and the author of a new book about finding success in college, I see a pattern in the ambivalence and am here to offer some answers to help both students and their parents make the best decisions possible. First, let’s look at some common scenarios:

1. My daughter was accepted by a few schools and denied admissions by a few others. She thought she knew her favorite. We were so excited and surprised when she got into her reach school. Now, we’re weighing issues of prestige and ranking against where she thought she felt the best vibe.

Surely it feels good and validating to be accepted somewhere that seemed like a reach, but that doesn’t mean one has to say yes. The decision of where to go to college is also an opportunity for a young person to get in touch with their own innermost dreams and visions for their future and to rely on and trust their own gut instinct. Going to the college where they feel a connection and vibe is every bit as important as the name brand of a school. It’s also crucial to remember that some schools have come into vogue in the past five to ten years that weren’t as widely known and well-regarded before. It may turn out that you’re headed to the school that is next to be up-and-coming.

2. My son has struggled in high school but when he saw his brother go off to college two years ago, he got more motivated and since then has pulled up his grades. He still has a very average GPA. He was accepted outright to several less selective state universities and to the flagship campus of a reasonably........

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