how to choose the best college for you: research, match your personality type, avoid regrets, +more

thank you Paperlike for sponsoring this video! get your own screen protector here: paperlike.com/studyquill3 and use the code QUILL to help support my channel :)
also click show more for the free organizing guide & timestamps ↓↓↓
from a current ucla freshman to you, here are my best tips on picking the best university for you. i'm covering pretty much every topic and how to research it, from financial aid to whether prestige actually matters. i also include a free spreadsheet here in the description as a sample/guide on how to organize your college research. hopefully by sharing my regrets, decision making tips, and thoughts on the best personality matches for each type of school, you'll be equipped with the advice you need to make this choice!
✰ ORGANIZING SPREADSHEET - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
✰ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 intro
1:35 research: cost
4:25 undergrad population
11:22 student life
18:57 academics + majors
22:06 prestige
25:03 location
31:08 elimination round
32:39 decision-making tips
✰ EXTRA EXTRA
⋅ second channel - / jazzydoesntstudy
⋅ instagram - @studyquill
⋅ tiktok lol - @study.quill
✰ MY BOOK - Study With Me - bit.ly/studywithmebook
a guide to planning & notetaking techniques for students!
✰ EQUIPMENT
⋅ blue yeti microphone - go.magik.ly/ml/11wiu/ *
⋅ canon 80D - go.magik.ly/ml/11wic/ *
⋅ sigma f/1.4 30mm lens - go.magik.ly/ml/11wii/ *
⋅ adobe premiere pro
any link marked with an asterisk (*) is an affiliate link, meaning i get a commission if you buy anything through my link.
✰ MUSIC
⋅ daydream by reggie san miguel - thmatc.co/?l=2787CB6
⋅ as i got ready by mark generous - thmatc.co/?l=32F3EB9D
⋅ down lo - / colinbain
⋅ great days by joakim karud - / joakimkarud
⋅ beyond the fire by MYSM - thmatc.co/?l=F799475
⋅ soft cream by MYSM - thmatc.co/?l=F67C951E
⋅ the coffee shop by naomi - thmatc.co/?l=F7E40992
⋅ orange and pomegranate by mark generous - thmatc.co/?l=16FCA669
⋅ road trip by joakim karud - / joakimkarud
⋅ too early - / too-early
⋅ warm feeling by frumhere, kevatta - thmatc.co/?l=E420151E
✰ BUSINESS ONLY - [e-mail]

[@Okkkkkkk-ol5kz]

Me, a graduate student about to enter my last semester of school: Ah yes. Tell me how to make the decisions I’ve already made.😍

[@studyquill]

congrats!!! so close to graduating 🥰🥰

[@rayahagen1003]

lololol yes. same.

[@readyyes9451]

:)

[@C0FF1N_R4TZ]

This video was literally made for people who HAVE'NT made those decisions yet🤦‍♀

[@Okkkkkkk-ol5kz]

@@C0FF1N_R4TZ Yes I realize this. I was trying to say I love studyquill so much that I’m watching a video that doesn’t apply to me and still hanging on every word.

[@evelynwang4561]

BRO THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEED I AM LITERALLY IN A PANIC TRYING TO DECIDE BETWEEN COLLEGES

[@palomae]

SAMEE

[@pushedofftheedge4474]

Aren’t we all?!?

[@jessicajean4562]

IM A JUINOR BUT SO AM I

[@phoebesanders7788]

YES ME TOO

[@newuser5773]

me, a junior, trying to decide what colleges to apply to in the fall😭

[@sandraphobic]

class of ‘25 and kinda crazy its our turn to start all this stuff, i swear i was just graduating middle school..

[@justsaradoingstuff7693]

petition for harvard (or any other college) to price match community college

[@soupforfree]

lol all college shld be free :B

[@rebekah6226]

@@soupforfree it is in Scotland

[@Nora-pw6pk]

@@rebekah6226 That might work for 5.5 million people of whom 96% are white. I definitely think college shouldn't be so expensive but understand it is hard to implement

[@someoneyoudontknow8372]

@@Nora-pw6pk race has nothing to do with collage in Scotland being free tho idk why u brought that up

[@thiagogregory1]

@@Nora-pw6pk I'm so confused. What's wrong with you? University is also free in Brazil, of which most are not white.

[@debicnvs]

I don’t even know why I am here to be honest because I don’t even graduate high school until 2025, but I guess it is never too early to start thinking about it lol.

[@bookasaur]

same, i’ll graduate too in 2025

[@Qweeby77]

same here lol

[@solar2909]

Same even tho I’ve chosen...

[@studyquill]

you can use this info to research a college list! although i wouldn’t start until much later bc you need some time to figure out who you are while in hs haha

[@benyancey2178]

I also graduate 2025

[@elise2068]

I’m a high school junior that just ranted to a friend how I’m stressed about college applications and decisions! You read my mind!

[@TiredChild24]

Are you in college now? If so, how is it? -A junior

[@caiii_i3512]

I'm not even close to going to college, I just like her voice

[@Bella.bear88]

lol?... not scared at all lol!

[@tanjirokamado5414]

same

[@gunjandeshmukh5665]

I am like 9th grade

[@studyquill]

🤣 thanks for watching then

[@milkyxbearss]

Me too 😂😅

[@linah.939]

I'll be done with high school in just a few months and the stress of choosing the right uni to go to is bigger than the stress of finals rn. so yep! really need this video (I haven't watched it yet but I'm sure it's great) thanks :)

[@studyquill]

i hope it helps!! congrats on almost graduating❣️

[@katakana1268]

Same here.

[@luvio1636]

Congrats on graduation! Hope you’re doing okay!

[@linah.939]

thanks! I've still got a few weeks to go, my exams start after a week so I'll be officially done by mid august :) I'm excited but hella scared lol

[@coolkoala19]

Have you decided?

[@debbieokeke1143]

haven’t even watched... just gonna give it a like bc i already know this will be so helpful. class of 2022 anyone?

[@haby2178]

yooo me too I'm getting outta hell....I mean high school in 2022 (currently a sophomore student) best of luck for both of us 👍👏

[@nadiamarie613]

me!!

[@loaroach]

@tasiean same 😔

[@sunset539]

Fellow class of 2022

[@kylaaakarii6694]

Me lol

[@ellaconnaughton8107]

as a current college sophomore going thru the process of transferring schools for junior year-its ok if you make the wrong decision too. its rly difficult and frustrating to feel like you could've avoided this by choosing the right school in the first place (which is why videos like this r so helpful lol) but it's gonna be ok either way. things will work out eventually, and choosing a college is not a life or death decision. you may think something is right for u at first and then later realize that for the person you are now, this is no longer the right place for u and that's ok. it is possible to change ur mind and ur never stuck if you don't want to be. idk if anyone here can relate to this but it was honestly helpful for me to type this out too hahah little youtube comments therapy

[@esthercrowey8092]

This is one of my concerns. As your transferring to sis you reapply to schools you applied to freshman year?

[@haloblur]

if youre really unsure on what major to pick, i totally recommend going to community college! youre able to get most of your gen ed requirements out of the way for way less money than a typical 4-year uni, and youre able to take introductory classes for a variety of subjects to see how you like it, and if you dont, they still count towards your credits to graduate. im in my second to last semester to graduate with my associates degree and i was able to change my major three times before finding what i loved without any "wasted" credits. once you find your major, use this video to find what school to transfer to (great job on this btw!!). transferring to a 4 year uni with your associates degree is really easy (depending on how specialized your major is), and there will usually be advisors at the community college that specifically help with transfers :)

[@zerere_]

Are community colleges free for international students?

[@haloblur]

@@zerere_ no i don’t think so, though you can definitely get scholarships specifically for international students at most community colleges! i would reach out to an financial advisor at the school(s) you’re looking at to find out for sure but though it’s not free, they’ll still be much cheaper than a 4 year uni for the most part. the downside is that since community colleges are usually for local residents, from what i’ve seen they usually don’t have dorms set up specifically for the college (though at least at my college they did have some off campus housing options near the campus).

[@nataliaganim5124]

I'm a sophomore in high school. This video might help for when I apply to college in 1-2 years

[@8makes1team81]

Me too! Class of 2023~ I’ll bookmark this video and come back to it^^

[@nataliaganim5124]

@@8makes1team81 Yss! Same!

[@smolgirl5749]

@@8makes1team81 same~

[@lizwi1387]

Sameziez

[@itoko05]

Class of 2023 but I’m planning ahead 😂

[@lilactsuki]

oh wow, you're such a lifesaver. graduation is two months away and I'm still deciding which college to choose. thank you so much. 🥺

[@studyquill]

good luck!! you’ve got this. 😌

[@lilactsuki]

@@studyquill thank you!

[@user-nn8no8pw1o]

its been 7 months! how'd it go?

[@dunemae]

update?

[@reachify]

update?

[@12345valerie]

On the off chance anyone browsing is a music performance majors, CHOOSE YOUR UNI BASED ON YOUR PRIVATE TEACHER IF YOU KNOW THEM! You will be working closely with this teacher/faculty for the next 4-ish years so make sure you remember that!

[@anastasiawasylinko5482]

That's some pretty solid advice! If you don't mind me asking, are you currently in a music performance program?

[@12345valerie]

@@anastasiawasylinko5482 yes! I’m a piano performance major at UCLA 🙃

[@anastasiawasylinko5482]

@@12345valerie That's so cool! I'm also a pianist!

[@aleessa]

Thank you for the tip 🥲

[@gihad697]

me, a 4th semester pharmacy major : definitely, yes. needed this.

[@user-oo3gj2tn5l]

Where are you studying

[@gihad697]

@@user-oo3gj2tn5l indonesia! this comment was from three years ago, i graduated college and now doing my specialization. thanks for asking! brings me back

[@PeaceStandsxo]

I'm so late to this video lol, but what I realized from my panic over not being able to choose between colleges this year was to not get too caught up in rankings or popularity. I got accepted to the University of Washington and I told myself I HAD to go there because I thought it was what everyone expected of me and it ranked the highest out of all colleges in Washington. But I realized there was a difference between what I wanted and what I "should" do so I ended up picking a small, private college a lot of people haven't even heard of and I'm so, so happy with it.

[@kate_undercover6184]

As a confused highschool junior, I really appreciate this haha

[@ayanag1964]

jazzy looking confused while saying "building a community" is literally my introversion personified lol

[@jena_rese]

I feel like one of the biggest parts of choosing a uni is knowing what you want to go into. That’s where I’m stuck... I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life

[@mickey6177]

fr

[@shroomsforbreakfast]

and that’s alright too! tons of people come into university with an undecided major and find their calling eventually:)

[@camra554]

Me: has already chosen my college and is literally leaving in a month Also me: is watching this and listening intently

[@aanyaseemsso]

being in 10th grade and researching about uni is actually fun cause you don't have the burden to do your research wisely and you can get off track and just look at pretty campuses and side by side get your options ready as well. nice. thanks a lot for this video though! def gonna use the organizer!

[@sairishithatamma3821]

Class of 2022 here! I'm super stressed for college apps cause those are right around the corner so this video is gonna be super helpful

[@jhayden-cm4yx]

College advice from a junior MICROBIOLOGY major: My public university has about 10k students which is above average. However I’ve found my degree program to be small so I’ve had a lot of special opportunities that would be harder to earn at a massive school, and I have a small school feel within my degree program (I see the same students in my classes over the years), meanwhile the student body is large. If you are interested in a similar major you may be able to have the best of both worlds :)

[@tonigrant6994]

Same here as a senior accounting major. I still enjoy my experience for sure

[@leafytiana]

As someone who is extremely close filling out college applications, I’d say that this is absolutely helpful! You’re there in things I needed the most

[@leafytiana]

@@kaitlyn3452 yeah I comment there sometimes 😅

[@skyc3285]

How did you know I was worrying about college decisions? I was literally having a moment and the notif got me

[@milkyway6021]

retweet

[@giuliarossi2674]

Me : an Italian girl who's gonna graduate from high school next year in Italy Also me: watches every video from Jasmine cause I love them, even if I'm not going to go to college in the US 😂

[@makeda399]

Idem

[@makeda399]

Tranne la parte del liceo e tutto -

[@alexamahabir7797]

i’m only in ninth grade but this is super helpful because i have so much free time on my hands. thanks jasmine!

[@jneewright96]

Please take this time to have fun and figure yourself out! Don't stress about college 😊

[@khantheghost6360]

@@jneewright96 my anxiety said ~no~ ~an 8th grader

[@adrienneislost1320]

@@khantheghost6360 same *cries in anxious*

[@thxcy]

This was exactly what I needed ! I'm a hs junior and I was actually going to start my research on colleges today- so this video was perfect!

[@studyquill]

i’m glad to help!! i’m gonna make a senior year advice video over the summer too so hopefully it helps 😃

[@thxcy]

@@studyquill it was so, so helpful, thank you so much

[@foodfood2078]

Me who will literally finish high school in 2027 and hasn't yet even entered high school: Noted

[@halliegeary8701]

Don’t worry about feeling silly for looking at stuff early! I did the exact same thing. I just wished I would’ve turned it down initially so that when it became closer (I’ll be a senior next year) I wasn’t so anxious. My only advice to you is to focus on find you, your style, personality, likes, dislikes, etc. Though in someways I have stayed the same, I’m not the person who woke up to online school nearly 3 years. Have fun and do your best in whatever you do😊

[@grangerproductivity]

This really helps me even if my college decision will still come out around end of April but bet of luck to all and hope you all get to attend your dream uni

[@studyquill]

good luck in your remaining decisions and have a great senior year :)

[@natcorrea7421]

Dang, she knew a bunch of us would need this right now-

[@louisvuitton4603]

I had a weird skip (online sophomore to face to face senior), so I’ve been having trouble hitting the ground running because I wasn’t prepared. But this video was very informative and helped me a lot!

[@Genevieve0880]

I'm a Junior in high school, right now, and let me just thank you so much. I've been struggling with picking a major and school for the longest time. (I guess it's because I got too interested in alot of things 😅) So, thank you so much. I already planned on applying to a few schools, but this helped me narrow things down.

[@radhika4557]

girl pls make a podcast. literally the most informative yt channel

[@mwilson9672]

as a junior just actually beginning the college process, this is super super helpful! thank you!

[@milkyway6021]

I'm a Malaysian high schooler and I've just recently embarked on my final year. I want to say that for all these years I followed you (subbed since 2017), you have been helping me and many others with loads of school stuff and more. continue to inspire young minds, studyquill! hugs xx :)

[@slushiecanfight]

I just decided on a college, so I laughed when I saw what you had uploaded. I'm pretty confident that I made the right decision, and I'm really excited! Love your videos🤩

[@iknowyouknowlinoo6010]

i’m a current sophomore in high school trying to start my college search early, this video was extremely helpful for me! thank you for all of the tips :)

[@sophieguthrie2472]

I don't usually comment on videos, but I just wanted to thank you so much for making this; I'm starting research for colleges and I was so lost on where to even begin before this video popped up on my feed! Thank you for everything you do :)

[@mymeloluvs]

This spreadsheet is amazing! It’s so organized and makes everything super clear it’s perfect for making the decision! I’m not at that point to choose college yet but I’m going to save this for then! Thank you so so much Jasmine 💗

[@karmadelagarza8972]

literally remember watching this video the summer before freshman year before i had to worry about nay of this and now i’m so thankful this exists

[@luanaainoavianadesouza5219]

You have no idea how much the timing of this video was perfect (I'm not even going to uni in the US but it was so helpful, thank you so so much)

[@chelseacyc3734]

this honestly helped so much!!! i've been going back and forth between 3 schools and this helped me decide that I wanted to go to Oregon State! it's so relieving to finally know where I'll be going in the fall hehe

[@eveh9003]

This is literally the perfect timing... I had my last day of class today

[@SamElle]

i wish I gave more thought to when I chose colleges!!! I ended up transferring schools my junior year because I HAAAATED my first college!

[@joanna7364]

this helps so much! i recently got admitted to UCLA ‘25 and i’m so excited. thanks jasmine

[@haby2178]

you literally save us when we need you *sends virtual hugs* ~~from a sophomore student

[@juliakrupp1369]

You're such a queen, I'm so stressed trying to figure out which college to decide on. Thank you ☺️

[@MariaAlice-ct7cr]

Me, a already college student, but watching the video because I adore Jasmine and her vibes

[@raisaleenjoyce3354]

Same! And I don't even go to US College 🤣

[@MariaAlice-ct7cr]

@@raisaleenjoyce3354 me neither! hahahaha

[@studyquill]

hahaha thank you for watching!

[@shylaseepersad]

This video is so helpful! They're all things I've thought about before but the way you put it makes these considerations so much clearer and I've definitely learned a few things. Thank you! 😊

[@12345valerie]

ALSO FYI Sometimes the undergrad population might be huge, like at UCLA, but at a particular school within the university, like the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, the population is quite small

[@hyorimchoii]

this was actually so helpful and had everything i was looking for but couldn’t quite find so THANK YOU😭🧡

[@lizziefg10]

I am not looking for a college. I am not even from the US! But Jasmine's content is so rich and her explanation is so well done, I've truly enjoyed the video :D To all those who are in this process, I wish you the best! Also, don't worry about making a mistake or regretting your decision: you can always change (in fact, you personally will) and all your experiences will contribute to your growth!

[@KimchiFarts]

30 year old freshman here. joined the military and now i'm starting a new chapter in my life. this video was soooo helpful! thank you so much for making this

[@RainbowY0]

The "regret" tips really helps me. If I go to school B, I would really regret not going to school A. Thanks for you videos!

[@pinknostxlgia4536]

this is exactly what i have been trying to figure out. tysm your channel is truly amazing

[@pavi9726]

This was uploaded just as I was researching between my colleges :,) thank you !!!!

[@oliviaem8496]

Ayeee, I needed this at the right moment! I feel so directionless about my future uni and job....huhuhuuu thanks

[@laurachilds9199]

Just got all of my decisions back! Thank you jasmine!!

[@sophiiehehe]

thank you for this video. i’m a freshman in high school so college is far away, but i am always told to do research early!

[@petitepear893]

i remember watching videos like this throughout middle school and early highschool, i used to stress out a lil about it but i’d always brush it off and say that’s “future me’s problem”. well now i’m a senior and i have to start applying to colleges soon 😭🫶🏼

[@Ashley8887AJGLITTER]

i knoww, i wish i started earlier

[@lily2224]

thank you for this video! I’m deciding which colleges I’m going to apply for next school year, and this was super helpful!

[@lindsay.3894]

Hiii jasminee, your book has really helped me this year, i got it as soon as i learned you made one

[@amaliaowl]

oooo I’ve been WAITIN’ for this one folks 😌💅

[@holacasita1979]

THANK YOU FOR THE SPREADSHEET AHHH I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

[@onepandella5702]

YO literally just got home from school after talking to my counselor about college- this is perfect!

[@brycewashington5022]

fantastic video! you helped me so much and your way of explaining is thorough and enjoyable. i hope u have a great day

[@jnscdtrr]

EVEN THOUGH I’M STILL NOT GOING TO COLLEGE I STILL ENJOY HER VIDEOS 😍

[@ashrakatgamal8988]

you have no idea how helpful this was. tysm

[@TheTrueLadybug]

Im 13, I just wanna make sure that I know what to expect and plan for my life.❤Thx for the vid

[@oceanskyy5500]

thank youuuuuuu the google docs spreadsheat too ahhhh tysm

[@sanju8267]

this is exactly what i needed, thank you so much 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@iamaghost7971]

Can’t help but praise the editing and **aesthetic** .You’re killing it Jasmine!

[@asharajagopal3299]

Legit I just got my last decisions yesterday! Thank youuuuuu

[@marykate9955]

Thanks you so much for this, I'm from Ireland but this is still really helpful and could not come at a better time! This video is a godsend - thank you!!

[@tiasnails3552]

gotta love me watching this even though i live in australia and have already picked a uni that i'm super happy with

[@franci1360]

Thank you so much for this!! I’m so happy I got into my dream school but it is soooo expensive... gotta weigh my options!

[@kiarranaidoo3693]

Applications have recently opened in my country and this is amazing. Thank you so much

[@alexisgerman1438]

PERFECT TIMING THANK YOU

[@wolfywoof405]

Thank you for making this video. Honestly researching colleges personally has been pretty stressful. Although it’s 2024, this video has really assisted me in researching and put my mind to ease!

[@somojitaroy3953]

Never so early!! I really can't believe it! BTW, thank you so much jasmine for helping me out at every moment of my life!

[@Jess-qi5jv]

Girl ilysm I'm starting the search process right now (rising senior tings)

[@anayaxthakker]

love your videos! they have helped me a lot. I have gone from a average student to a topper. I really appreciate you videos and tips. thank you

[@studyquill]

congrats!!! i’m so happy that i could help

[@04nguyenquanganh25]

This was very thorough and detailed, thank you so much 😊

[@isalejandrastudies8334]

I need it!! Next year I will apply so this year I need to make my college list. Wish me luck.

[@isabeloliveira1617]

I’m a sophmore and have no idea what goes into picking a college and this has been so helpful!

[@Atmviola]

Estimate cost of living as well! Because depending on the type of school you go to, you may not live in dorms all four years. Make sure you check out the average rent prices and even differences in grocery costs if possible. As much as we like to make fun of the Midwest here in the US, the cost of living is way more affordable than big cities like NYC or San Francisco

[@thesmallestbeast1152]

Watching these videos after getting into your top school just hits different.

[@itoko2243]

:) I just wanna say I’ve been watching you since 9th grade, and I’m a senior now, graduate in 2023, and I’m going to the University of Michigan, thank you soooooooo much ❤

[@zaplanowany_spontan3663]

I already gradueted college and also I live in Europe, but I love your videos because it's truly fascinating to see, how much education differ between US and Europe

[@bitter-sweet-music]

Me literally in middle school: Yes- perfect, i'm gonna get right to work.

[@taylorhall2018]

i already committed in december ahaha idk why i'm watching this but please upload more 30 minute videos i will listen to you talk about anything

[@ejozoh1070]

Thank you so much for this I didn’t really know what direction to take for my college search

[@anjani174]

I literally just listen to your videos as a podcast while doing my school work i dont even know why im watching this particular video considering im just in 8th but its fun

[@nicolechen6410]

you’re a lifesaver jasmine 😭😭

[@fuckingdonut9489]

Thanks for this vid! I needed a ~spicy~ dose of reality that I'm prob not going to be able to go to my dream college and I can't get myself stuck on it

[@michaelamedel2341]

i’ve been watching your videos for a while, and i’m so thankful for your channel. i’m also thinking about UCLA, and i’m so proud that you’re able to attend the school! thank you so much again!! 💛💙

[@paykachuuu_]

ty for this man :] rlly researching college now!

[@cristianacv9760]

Yesterday night i was literally searching a video exactly like this

[@Tsuki_777]

I love these types of videos thank you :)))