Where Are You Applying to College?
By: Deborah, Minds Matter Class of 2016
For me and my fellow Minds Matter seniors, college is a step into a brighter future. It is a goal we’ve been trying to reach for the past three years. However, before we go to college, we have to be accepted. And before we are accepted, we have to apply. And before we apply, we have to choose what schools we’re going to apply to. And before we decide on these schools, we have to decide what it is we are looking for in these schools. And the process goes on and on and on.
Right now, most of us have a pretty good idea on what it is we’re looking for, but choosing from a list of over 2,000 four-year institutions across the nation is still pretty hard. It takes time and consideration in order to make these decisions. So, how did I break it down?
First off, I’m a city girl. I live in the city that never sleeps. When I began looking at schools, I knew right away that I was not a good fit for schools that are in rural locations. I also knew that when I step outside campus, I want to be in a city, and not have to travel two to three hours to get to the nearest major city.
I’m also a student-athlete. Being part of a team is what keeps me fit and on track with my school work, so athletics also played an important role when looking at schools. For the past three years, I’ve been part of a rowing team, and I know that I want to have the option of rowing in college, even if it isn’t competitively.
The third factor that plays an important role in the schools I select are the available majors, namely Film and Sociology. I’ve known for a very long time that these two things are at the very top of my list of majors. While I may change my mind while I’m in college, I want to at least have the option to pursue these areas of study.
These weren’t the only things that I looked for when selecting my college list. I thought about the size of the school, how far it is from my home, diversity on campus, travel abroad programs, and financial aid opportunities, among other things. Right now, at the top of my list are Columbia University, the University of Southern California, and Tufts University. All are very competitive schools, and all goals I intend on reaching. Over the past three years, one of the things I’ve learned with Minds Matter is that you shouldn’t be afraid of aiming high because often times, when you reach for the moon, you land amongst the stars.
Learn more about Deborah in her next post!