College: The Big Decision

College: The Big Decision

Ronny Pena

Deciding on a college is a surreal experience. Years of hard work culminates in one final decision; where to spend the next four years of your life? Several Hawthorne High School seniors have already made the big decision, now anxiously awaiting the next four years of their lives. What goes into making such a big decision?

Senior Leah Matari was amongst the first seniors to commit to a college. She was admitted into Bowdoin College, located in Brunswick, Maine, back in mid-December. Applicants who apply to a college early decision are obligated to attend that university, if admitted. Applying to a college early decision is undeniably a significant decision, so what drove Leah to apply to Bowdoin?

“I visited about twelve schools throughout my junior year,” said Matari, “from Ohio to North Carolina, up into Maine. Bowdoin was not originally on my radar until a family member suggested I should visit because I might like it. After going through a lot of different admissions sessions with different counselors, about halfway through Bowdoin’s session, I turned to my mom and said “this is the school,” without having toured the campus yet. While on the campus tour, I realized the campus was absolutely beautiful and knew this was where I wanted to be. I ended up being recruited by the track team and that was something that was always in the back of my mind. I did an overnight visit in September and I definitely saw then that Bowdoin was the place I should be. They have a lot of amazing programs that I’m excited to get involved with. And their food is consistently ranked number one, so granted, that’s why I’m going.”

Leah experienced what many high school seniors want to experience. The coveted “feeling” one gets when visiting a school. The feeling of belonging to a school. One might have a list of criteria (study abroad program, internships, etc.) that one looks for in a school, but there is often a sense of incompleteness unless one feels that they truly belong at the school.

In regard to this “feeling”, senior Tim Matthews, who committed to Lafayette University in Easton, Pennsylvania, stated that he knew Lafayette was for him, “because I stepped foot on campus and saw my next four years. I saw the people and all the opportunities. It was the most prestigious school on my list so I knew it was the best school. They have a beautiful government/law building, which is where I’ll be spending most of my time and I know I won’t mind spending it there.”

Another senior that has already committed to a school is Megan Stanzack, who applied to Quinnipiac University early decision. In regard to how Megan knew Quinnipiac was for her and why she chose to attend, she remarked,“I knew QU was the school for me as soon as I stepped on campus during my first visit. The atmosphere and feel on campus felt super safe and comforting to me. The students I met when I visited were all very welcoming and their passion and spirit for the school showed during the tour. The OT program at Quinnipiac University is a very well-distinguished program for my major so I knew I would be in a good position when I graduate.”

At the end of the day, deciding on a school is not an easy decision for everyone. Multiple factors go into deciding where to spend your next four years. One thing remains true, no matter where you end up: the location doesn’t matter, it’s truly how you make your college experience. Best of luck to the rest of the senior class who remains undecided!