If you’re deciding between colleges right now, your brain probably feels ready to burst.
You’ve got pro/con lists, spreadsheets, tarot decks, Magic 8 Balls, and an overstuffed whiteboard that’s worthy of the Me Trying to Explain meme. There’s just so much to analyze! Academics, cost, reputation, location, campus life, and career preparation are all worth assessing, but deep down, there are other factors in play, too.
When you choose a school, you might be unconsciously swayed by family pressure, peers’ choices, college name recognition, or even party culture. But that would be a mistake. We’ll analyze each of these factors (and more) to help you understand why they shouldn’t impact your college decision. That way, you can focus on what actually matters.
Keep reading to unpack the seven factors you should avoid when choosing a college.
You might be tempted to pick a school based on where your friends are going. After all, who wants to break up the crew? But the whole point of college is to prepare for your future, and it’s unlikely you and your friends have the same life and career goals.
Even if you attend college in different states, you and your high school friends can stay emotionally close. Friendships are more flexible than we think, says Anne Moyer, a psychology professor quoted in this Refinery29 article. “With distance, sometimes friendships can change, but that doesn’t mean they dissolve. They just may take on a different character as your lives change.”
Going to college is a big transition, and it’s okay to miss (or even grieve) your old life. But this is also an opportunity to meet new people from all over the world. You might find even more kindred spirits than your hometown could ever offer.
How many opportunities a school gives you to make new friends is more important than whether your current friends will be attending. Investigate whether your prospective school has a vibrant campus life that fits your vibe.
“Touring a college campus is really the best way to get a sense of whether or not you can see yourself at that campus,” says Freddie O'Brion, campus tour manager at USF. But if that’s not feasible, take virtual tours, peruse the college’s social media, and interview admissions officers and students. You can also get a picture of campus life through stats you find on the school’s website.
At USF, for example, you can join 700+ clubs and student organizations across our three campuses. Whether you want to plan the Homecoming parade, learn to dance the Tango, or raise guide dog puppies in your dorm, there are plenty of ways to get involved. One student even started his own Oreo Tasting Club.
In a plot twist worthy of “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” you and your romantic partner are drawn to different colleges. Does this mean you’re star-crossed? Should you give up your dream program so you can stay near them?
You can already guess what we’re going to say: Don’t base your college decision on your relationship. This person is a huge part of your life, and high school love isn’t any less meaningful just because you’re young. But neither of you should sacrifice your goals for the other — that’s only going to lead to resentment. Plus, attending different schools is a great way to expand your worldviews and make sure you’re right for each other long-term. Both of you will change throughout your college journeys, and it’s only fair that you give yourselves the chance to find out who you are apart from each other.
And there’s good news: Your relationship isn’t doomed just because you aren’t sharing a campus. In fact, data shows that long-distance relationships can be even more stable. That could be because couples who choose to tackle long-distance are likely to be in a stronger relationship already.
Whether you’re in a long-distance romance or not, learning how to navigate relationships is a bigger part of college life than you might expect. Take advantage of counseling and support services so you can grow as a whole person, not just academically.
“There doesn't have to be something ‘wrong’ with you to seek counseling,” emphasizes Scott Strader, the director of the USF Tampa Counseling Center. “We are here to support students to be more successful academically, interpersonally, socially, and in their wellness journey.”
Choose a school that invests heavily in its students’ mental and emotional well-being. Most colleges offer mental health resources for students, but you should call the school’s counseling clinic and ask for specifics, such as:
At USF’s Health and Wellness Center, for example, students can access free individual counseling, group sessions, workshops, and relationship counseling. Emergency counseling services are available 24/7 to get you through the toughest days.
This is a tough one. Maybe your parents want you to attend their beloved alma mater. Or maybe they’re living their unrealized dreams through you. It’s especially tricky if they are financially contributing to your education.
If the school you want to attend is equal in cost and academic quality to their pick, you shouldn’t let their dreams deter you from yours. Have a conversation that helps your family understand your college goals, and come prepared with receipts. You might say something like, “Alumni from my dream school make X amount of money in the first 10 years after graduation. The school has a well-respected program in X major I’m interested in, and there are X number of jobs in this field available annually.”
Your family wants to know that you are passionate and “know the path forward,” explains Lesa Shouse, director of career services for USF St Petersburg, in our article on lucrative careers.
Check in with your intentions, says Heather Walders, assistant director of outreach and community engagement at USF’s Counseling Center. “Whose dreams are you trying to fulfill? Are they yours? Are they not?”
Visualize two paths in front of you and read the signs marking each path. “Is this a sign that somebody else put up for you that said, ‘This is the path you should be taking,’ or do you see a sign and you're like, ‘That’s what I want. That's what I've been looking for?'” Walders prompts. Worrying about disappointing someone can keep you from your true path (“What if Mom wants me to go to this school, and what if I let her down?”).
“All those what-ifs oftentimes get in the way of our ability to do the thing that we need to do,” Walders observes.
If you’re having trouble visualizing your own path, your high school guidance counselor can help.
When you read college blogs like ours, they tell you to pay attention to college rankings. This is good advice, but small changes between schools (or from year to year) shouldn’t worry you. Here’s why.
Every year, U.S. News & World Report releases lists of top schools, rigorously evaluated based on academic quality and graduate success. (USF is proud to rank number 43 among all public universities, marking seven consecutive years in the Top 50.)
A high ranking indicates that a school commits to student outcomes, strong academic resources, and a top-tier reputation. But when it comes to the difference between a school ranked number 55 versus number 53, don’t sweat it.
It’s also normal for school rankings to change slightly from year to year, so it’s okay if your dream school has dropped a place on the list. U.S. News points out that “small rank changes —especially mid-tier — are often statistically insignificant, reflecting normal data fluctuations rather than shifts in quality.”
Don’t focus on small differences between rankings, but do pay attention to overall trends. If a school is continuing to rise through the ranks, that’s a sign of positive growth. If it’s consistently falling, it could have institutional issues. Over the past decade, USF has risen an impressive 40 spots among public universities — a trend worth noticing.
Along with academic rankings and recognition, a school should show proof of graduate success. Review the College Scorecard, which is like a Consumer Reports for colleges. Look at the school’s four-year and six-year graduation rates. Find out how much graduates earn after graduating. All this data can paint a complete picture of the return you can expect on your higher-ed investment.
More than 70 percent of students feel pressure to “get into schools with ‘name recognition,’” according to this 2025 Forbes article. The stress is real. But selective, prestigious schools aren’t your only option. In fact, you might not even take the traditional four-year path — and that’s okay. Community colleges, vocational schools, and transfer pathway programs are all valid choices, depending on your goals and needs.
“Pick the institution that matches you, because once you get there, it's just you and your experience,” says USF’s director of undergraduate recruitment, Derek Nettingham. “Education itself is multifaceted.”
Even if you do get into a highly selective, four-year school, that doesn’t automatically make it the correct choice. Consider your career goals, the cost of attendance, and the overall academic and campus experience. This is all more important than name recognition.
Think about what you want for your future. Where do you see yourself after college, and what type of education can get you there?
USF tour guide O’Brion recommends making a spreadsheet. List all your potential schools and write your notes in different columns for:
Now compare. Which schools check the most boxes? Of those, which are financially within reach?
Scroll college Reddit threads, and you’ll find prospective students debating school party culture. Which of these two schools is more fun? Which throws the best parties? Which has the better Greek life? As you can already guess, we’re going to tell you that party culture shouldn’t sway your decision one way or another.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have a good time, but the quality of academics, faculty, and career prep is way more important. If the campus has a robust student life and opportunities to get involved, you’ll have plenty of fun.
On the other hand, don’t avoid a school just because it’s known for its bangers. So long as a school checks all your other boxes and has a stellar academic reputation, it deserves a spot on your list. Any school can turn into a party school (or not) depending on your activity choices.
Party culture may not matter, but local culture does. You’re going to be living in this location for the next four years, and if you get a job after college, it might become your permanent home.
Along with assessing job prospects, look at the entertainment and recreation options near the school. Does a great food scene and dynamic nightlife matter to you? What about outdoor activities, like mountain biking or sailing? Can you see yourself thriving here?
If you’re interested in USF, check out our guide to the surrounding Tampa Bay area. With top-tier beaches, championship sports, and a vibrant arts and culture scene, we’ve been ranked one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live and one of Time Magazine’s World’s Best Places.
When our college team wins, we all feel like winners. (You should’ve seen us after the Bulls beat the Gators!) It’s great to have school spirit, but make sure your college choice supports your future plans first. The right fit goes beyond fandom and sets you up for success.
Once you’re a student, you might find yourself becoming a fan of your alma mater’s team, even if you never paid attention to them before. School spirit is contagious. Go to those tailgates, sport those jerseys, and cheer on your new favorite team!
Pssst: If you’re headed to Bulls Country, we have a guide on how to get involved in USF sporting events (and score free swag).
Make sure your school is investing in all students, not just the athletes and their athletics facilities. It’s exciting when a campus has an awesome stadium (like this one, coming in 2027 to USF Tampa), but you should also assess the school’s fitness opportunities for students. For example, USF boasts fitness centers, boathouses, group classes, aquatics, outdoor recreation, adventure trips, intramural teams, and club sports. Bulls play everything from flag football to softball, ultimate Frisbee to swimming, wrestling to table tennis. Cheering on a team feels good, but joining one feels even better.’
Even if you are a student athlete, make sure your school’s academic chops match their sports ’chips. “For 20 straight semesters now, the cumulative GPA of our student athletes has been over 3.0,” says Michael Kelly, former vice president for athletics at USF, adding that our athletes appreciate that they “can earn a degree from a school that is very active, very bold.”
Now that you know what to avoid when choosing a college, you can get back to your pro/con lists and focus on what matters. But wait … what factors do matter in your college decision?
You’re in luck, because we’ve got a detailed blog post on just that topic.
Questions about USF? We’re here to help. Just call 813-974-3350 to speak with a recruiter. Good luck!