As the end of the school year approaches, many seniors are focusing on one thing only. Not school work, not late assignments, but what college they are going to attend that following year. When finding the right college, multiple elements feed into making the final decision. Location, student life, politics, climate, and the majors that are available to take. To say the least, this time of the year for seniors is anything but relaxing.
The stressful campaign to choose a college is a long one. Not wanting to feel pressure during the school year to write essays and finish up paperwork, many students opt to start their college work the summer before. With the help of Shorewood Career Center, and personal college counselors to assist you throughout admission season, seniors have an array of options to choose from when starting their college journey.
So, why after all the hustle and bustle, are seniors left with the searing question, where should I go to college? After applying, the waiting game sets in. Talking to fellow students and applicants about acceptance percentage, where you applied, and the long trek of college tours only adds to the long list of questions you already have. Applying to college is one thing, but getting in is another. After waiting through the grueling months for your college decision, the email finally pops up, “An update has been made to your portal.”
People might say that getting into all the colleges you applied to is a triumph and something to be celebrated. I think not. Although it is a rather lofty win, it puts you right back at square one, with the same question you had six months ago, where should I go to college? When decisions come out, rejections could be seen, yes, as a missed opportunity, but also as a sign that college wasn’t meant for you. Even if it’s disappointing, the more colleges you get rejected from, the fewer questions you are left with when decision day is creeping up on you.
As decision day nears, and the time for picking a college gets smaller and smaller, many seniors are still unsure about making the final decision, and if it’s going to be the right decision. Due to the notorious FAFSA debacle of 2024, colleges all over the United States pushed their decision day farther out, giving students time to get their FAFSA update, and to procrastinate their final decision even more.
When choosing a college, many factors feed into it. Even when you think you have found the college you are going to call home for the next four years, the question still looms over your head “Am I making the right choice?” Although the time to ask this question has passed, many students next year will be faced with the same tough decisions and titillating questions. And the only word of advice I can give, is “go with your gut,” and you’ll never make the wrong decision.
