But there was one question the senior at Wethersfield High School had to consider that isn't on the table for most: Does it have a Division I basketball program I fit into?
Fordham University had the right answer to that one, as well as all the other questions, for Corning, who signed a National Letter of Intent to play at the Bronx, N.Y.-based school. With her John Hancock Nov. 11, she fulfilled her dream of going to a Division I basketball school.
In announcing the signing, Fordham coach Cathy Andruzzi described the three-time All-Conference Eagle guard, also an All-State selection last season, as a passionate player and a gifted athlete who exhibits talent on the court as well as in the classroom.
"Abigail is a point guard with a scorer's mentality." Andruzzi said. "She understands the game and will provide us with leadership in the backcourt. Her guard skills and size give her the versatility in her game to play a number of different positions. She is extremely competitive and will make everyone around her better."
Corning said Fordham first contacted her in April. She was immediately impressed with the players. Andruzzi and the rest of the coaching staff when she first visited.
"I just felt like I fit in perfectly," Corning said. "The girls all had one main goal and that was to play basketball to win and also to be good students."
Academics played a primary role in Corning's decision. She plans to major in business, perhaps focusing in management or marketing, and Fordham has a good business school. Also, she said its location in New York City should give her a leg up in her job search once she graduates.
"I was first of all attracted to their academic record," Corning said, "because I'm really a student first and then an athlete. I wanted to go to a good school where I could get a good degree."
Distance was a factor as well. Fordham is only a couple hours away by car or train, meaning family and friends would not have too far to travel to see Corning play. They'd have even less distance to travel when Fordham travels to play Central Connecticut State University, which it did Wednesday. Corning would love the chance to play with essentially a hometown-crowd advantage.
"That'd be awesome," she said. "My closest fans are my family. They come to everyone of my games and they're my biggest support group."
Though it's possible, it's not a gurantee. CCSU is not in the same conference as Fordham, which plays in the Atlantic 10. The Rams have not had a lot of success recently but they have improved under Andruzzi, entering her fourth year at the helm. Corning hopes she can help the team continue to get better.
"Last year they had a losing record but it seems to be promising for the next few years. I know that they're in a very tough conference in the Atlantic 10 but they have competed well. When I get there, maybe we can pick up [a conference title] and go to the NCAA Tournament."