So you’ve decided to invest in higher education, but what exactly does this next step entail? From someone who’s already been down this route, we thought it might make it easier to break down the steps for you. It’s easy to overthink this decision (it is a big one, after all), but it all comes down to simplifying your interests, goals, and budget. It’s a big step, but one that’s guaranteed to pay off!
Choosing a major is tricky- you just graduated high school and suddenly you’re expected to choose a lifelong career path. But don’t worry! Most schools don’t require you to decide on a major until the end of your sophomore year. But until then, it’s a good idea to narrow down your list based on which schools offer programs that cater to your interests. So, what are you passionate about? Say you’ve got an interest in engineering- it might be a good idea to research schools that have well-funded STEM programs. Or maybe you’ve finalized your list to a few top major choices, but they are very different. It could be beneficial to look into schools that offer a wide selection of degree options and flexibility between programs. Once you start your college journey, you might change your mind and switch your major once- or a few times.
Think about which college qualities would fit you best. For example, are you interested in a private or public university? Do you want to spend the next part of your life in a city setting, or a more rural landscape? Are you more excited by the prospect of a big undergraduate student body, or would you prefer a more personal experience at a smaller school?
As you might be noticing, this list is rather expansive. There’s also climate, campus accessibility, internship opportunities, and tuition costs to consider. A great way to help make your decision is a pros and cons list of each university’s attributes- seriously, it helps!
It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed at this stage- how are you supposed to know what you’ll like before you get there? Just hang tight, this next step will walk you through it.
Go on campus tours! This part of beginning your college journey is a great way to get a realistic feel of each campus. Make sure to introduce yourself to your tour guide, and ask plenty of questions. Budget enough time for each tour to ensure you’re not rushing an important experience, and plan for the season- visiting a school during July will have a much different feel compared to a typical campus environment during the school year. The summer is still a great time to visit, but just be aware of these differences.
While it’s great to visit in person if you can, plenty of students (and their families) have busy schedules, financial concerns, or other reasons why in-person visits may not be feasible. A great resource that most universities offer (especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic), are virtual tours. In fact, you can find virtual tours for YSU here!
After you’ve taken the time to sit down and weigh your options, and you feel good about your final list of potential schools, it’s time to apply! As a heads up, many colleges charge an application fee to ensure applicants are serious about pursuing their education there. This can be a deterrent for many families, but if this is a serious hurdle for you, take a deep breath. There are multiple ways around these fees. You can ask your high school guidance counselor for a fee waiver if your financial situation deems you eligible, or the admissions office at the school you’re applying to. Many universities will also waive application fees for students with financial need. Additionally, some schools offer free application weeks, but you’ll have to do some digging to find out when, since these timelines vary according to each university. If you’re still a little lost about this whole process, there’s even more information that will help you make the right decision here.
Nearly 11,000 students
Over $8 Million in Scholarships Given Annually
21 Average Class Size
5 University Residence Halls with plenty of nearby apartments
14:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
In-State
Out-of-State
In-State
Out-of-State
Tuition and fees may vary by major, college, area of study or based on your location. The university reserves the right to assess fees for special services and programs applicable to students. First-time International undergraduate students’ tuition rate is established based on first enrollment and remains unchanged for four consecutive years. Graduate students should plan for a yearly tuition increase of approximately 5%.
For a complete list of additional fees and detailed tuition information please visit the University Bursar website here.
Cost of the most popular room and meal plan combination; Your cost will depend on the plans you select. Costs in the box cover the most popular room and meal plan combination (on-campus); If you choose to live off-campus, the estimated cost of room and meals will be around $12,000 based on 12 months.
Based on average books & supply costs
Health insurance is required for international students.
Applicants must have graduated from high school or have successfully completed the General Education Development (GED) test to be considered for admission. Freshman applicants applying for admission to Youngstown State University must submit a high school transcript or GED transcript. Submission of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores is optional. Please note: some majors require test scores to be admitted into the program.
Applicants must have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher, a core unweighted grade point average* of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher and have an ACT composite score of 17 or higher or a SAT composite score of 920 or higher (evidence-based writing and reading and math) to be admitted unconditionally. (*Core gpa is calculated based on grades earned in the following courses – English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language, if applicable, from 9th through 12th grade).
Fall 2024
application deadline is
August 1, 2024
