By Mary Beth Hills, HerCampus

The days are long but the weeks are short. You submitted your college applications months ago, and you’ve heard back from all the schools you applied to… now what? Gather up those acceptance letters—the time has come to make a final decision! Ready? No? It’s not as easy as it sounds. Making a decision is tough. Her Campus is here to help, though, and collegiettes from around the country have shared the tips and tricks that helped them so that you can be successful in making your final decision.

1. Make a list. “I made a list of pros and cons,” says Erin, a senior at Quinnipiac University.  If you’re a logical person or a left-brain thinker, this will help you out a lot. Making lists allows you to look at hard facts and figures, but it also allows you to visualize information. Once you’ve made your list, talk it over with people you trust. “After I made a list, I went over pros and cons of the two schools with my family,” says Ally, a senior at Northeastern University.
2. Outline your priorities. You’ve made your list of pros and cons, but the schools are still pretty much tied. Choose your top three to five priorities and see how your schools weigh in. “I cared most about the campus/location, academic programs and the student culture. Both schools I was interested in had great academics, so it came down to a decision of where I thought I’d be happiest socially,” explains Ally.
3.  Be a chatty Cathy. If you’re unsure of your decision, start talking to people. Talk to friends who are in college to see what they think about their decision.  Have honest discussions with your parents about topics like financial aid. Email current students who share your academic interests to learn more about specific programs. Mary Waller, a freshman at USC, says, “I emailedstudents and professors in departments I was interested in.” She also talked to her parents and older friends about the two schools. She encourages you to “talk to people who are enthusiastic about their colleges about why they love them so much. You might even be surprised by what some people love and think, “Wow, I would hate that.’”
4. Go to admitted students days or stay overnight with a current student. Oftentimes, these events will permit you to talk with current students and attend some classes. Some schools offer overnight programs where you stay with student ambassadors, but you may need to contact a friend at the school you want to visit. “Try an overnight visit with someone you know. I had a blast when I stayed with my friend at Bentley, but it still wasn’t enough for me to want to go there, which definitely said something for me. Going to the accepted students days for the schools I was considering was a make-or-break-it moment for me.  Seeing how poor one school’s was in comparison to another’s said something to me,” suggests Erin.

Click below to read four more great tips, including my favorite – Go With Your Gut.