As 2016 comes to a close, high school seniors across the nation continue on their college search.  Between scrambling to finish applications and planning school visits, students work to answer the golden question; what college fits me best?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 20.5 million students are expected to attend college next year.  With over 4,000 colleges within the U.S. alone, narrowing down the options is a process in itself.  Colleges have multiple aspects that make up the school- size, academics, athletics and campus life- creating a not-so-simple choice for students.

“I knew I liked bigger schools with athletics and more resources,” St. Teresa’s Academy senior Linden O’Brien-Williams said. “I was mainly looking at state schools, then at academic programs, honors colleges, and majors.”

Along with the factors that make up the school, location often plays a pivotal part in a students’ decision. According to Statistic Brain, About 13.7 percent of college students attend out of state schools. To find and learn more about these schools students should utilize the resources around them. Between the internet, school and counselors, students have access to information that can make the daunting decision process easier.

“Be proactive and take advantage of all the resources that are available to you,” University of Missouri professor and director of planning and communications Suzette Heiman said. “Internet- it’s all out there. You can go online and virtually visit just about any school out there.”

In narrowing down schools, Heiman suggests looking at what the school has to offer in and out of the classroom. Students should find schools that offer majors they are interested in studying.  Students should also look into what programs the school has to offer outside of the on campus classroom- student organizations, study abroad programs and internships.

“The number one thing to think about is what your goals are,” Heiman said. “Think about what you like to do and what you want to do for the rest of your life.”

“[Students] should be looking at their total college experience,” Heiman said. “[Students] want it to be robust and exciting.”

Nicole Fallert, a Northwestern journalism and international studies major urges students to look deeper.

“[When looking at schools] think about what sort of experiences the institution will provide,” Northwestern University sophomore Fallert said.