It’s the most wonderful — and arguably stressful — time of senior year.

With college applications over and the wave of admissions offers and rejection letters having largely passed, most seniors have accumulated letters of acceptances. With the commonly cited May 1 decision notification deadline rapidly approaching, students must now make the life-altering decision of where they are going to spend the next four years.

For those not fortunate enough to have gotten into their dream schools, now is the time to pick the runner up. Students may even be torn between two or more colleges — but how do they know which college to pick?

“It’s a huge commitment and any doubt in their decision process often increases their stress [and] anxiety—and they begin to question whether they’re making the right decision or not,” clinical psychologist Dr. Jerry Weichman said.

First and foremost, consider the pros and cons of each school. Distance, price, size, location, and lifestyle are all fundamental factors when it comes to making the decision. Students are encouraged to compare and contrast the different choices considering no two schools are the same.

US News suggests visiting schools again before making the final decision. Students and families could notice something he or she did not see during the first visit. Furthermore, if there are any new questions, they should take the time to go and get them answered by the college administration.

“I was torn between two colleges, but when I re-visited them, only one made me feel truly at home,” senior Nikki Zizzo said. “I just knew I belonged there.”

Students should also take into consideration what they want to major in, then seek the college with the better program. Even if students do not know what their major is, they should still pick a college with majors that that they are interested in.

There is always the option of transferring. For the students who may not have been accepted to their dream school or maybe don’t know what they want to do yet, community college can be a safe option. Students can go to Nassau and Suffolk Community College then try to transfer to another college when they’re ready.

Picking between colleges is similar to that of taking a test; students should cross off the options they are sure they will not attend. Once it is narrowed down to two, the decision will be easier, but students should also keep in mind that there is no right or wrong answer.

“It’s a tough decision but students should go with their gut,” guidance counselor, Mrs. Victoria Rimbert said. “It’s also a good idea to speak with your guidance counselor to help make an educated decision.”

Though deciding what college to attend can be stressful, the most important piece is to do what feels right for the student as an individual. Even though there are many different factors to consider, the biggest question is, “Can I see myself here for four years?”