Normally, I would advise everybody to spend a few days at your top choices. Live with a student in a dorm; go to classes; eat in the dining hall; attend some recreational and club meetings; and go out to a party. All these will give you a more realistic view of what awaits you. But since this is not possible this year, I would suggest you do the following before making a choice:
Make contact with a student at a vocation-related club and ask about the student’s experience through a scheduled phone or video call. For example, if you are majoring in computer science, then contact the heads of a few CS-related clubs and discuss the student’s thoughts on required and elective classes and extracurriculars. Ask about where people have found jobs.
Contact the head of a club or sport group that you are interested in joining. Talk about activities or conferences that they have put on. Do they impress or excite you? Remember, messaging and texting are not the same as a real conversation on the phone or video conferencing.
Do you know which companies you might want to work for? Go to their LinkedIn page and see how many students from your college choices work there.
Make a spreadsheet with all of the categories that matter to you. Below are some examples. Write out your answers. You can also give a numerical rating out of 100 or 10 to help you compare later.
Talk over your spreadsheet results with a counselor, parent, and a friend. This will help you sort out your feelings. But don't just take your parents' advice. They will have their own reasons for wanting you to attend a school, which may not take into consideration all the factors that matter to you. The same can be said about the friend or counselor. In the end, you need to take all these opinions with a grain of salt.
Go for a long walk or hike somewhere (if your community allows you to) and make a choice. Clear your mind! Once you make your choice, let the school know right away. Don't wait around and have other people's ideas influence your decision. Use your own knowledge and intuition!
Below are some possible categories for your spreadsheet. Remember to put your thoughts in words and a numerical ranking (if this helps you) from 0-100 or 0-10. Include the name of each university and:
Ranking
US Ranking
Department Ranking
Weather
Unique Clubs
My impression of city or town
International Student Support (if relevant)
Financial Assistance (how much?)
Housing and Dining
Research of Professors
Student Reviews
Classes I like
Comparisons of Required Classes
Proximity to cities
Sports Opportunities
Internships
Career Placement
Friendliness of people
Additional Comments