October 12, 2024

Graduation is imminent, and while many seniors are nervously waiting for acceptance letters from the universities to which they applied, many have also already committed to the college/university of their choice. The class of 2022 is full of motivated, driven people aiming high and hoping to find and choose the right college for them.

While the process of applying to college is another difficult quest in its entirety, several seem to not acknowledge the struggles it takes to finally choose a college after you’ve been accepted to many different ones. College life is commonly glorified and romanticized to the public eye, but how do seniors feel about it coming so soon? 

Seniors Ashley Kalb, Emily Bernal, Kendall Lee, Lauren Abarno, Hayden Schneider, Noah Gardy, Ryan Dickson, Kevin Ma, Layla Marino, and many others have all committed to university. Kevin Ma, who hopes to pursue computer science at Northeastern University (NEU), shares: “ I chose Northeastern was because of their co-op program which would allow for me to gain a computer science internship/job really easily. I also just really wanted to go to a nice city for college. Looking back now, I would say it has become a dream school for me.” He shares how when he applied, NEU wasn’t a dream school, but he doesn’t regret his commitment.

High School is considered a “once in a lifetime” experience, and after spending four years in the same place, it’s common to feel nostalgic and sad about your time at HSW. While that is the case for many, Emily Bernal, who has chosen to study stage and production management at Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) shares: “ I’m just ready to meet new people, be in a new place, and study something I’m really interested in.”

When asked how she feels about committing, Emily shares how while she is a little nervous, she’s definitely more excited to study at MMC because of a great program that was her top choice. She shares how she does not regret her decision at all and is excited to move on to the next chapter of her life. 

The commitment process seems easy on the outside, but in reality, it’s nothing that can be done in a day. Having to choose a place where you will spend the next 4+ years is not a joke, and many seniors tend to struggle with this process. The guidance department is a great help in the process because it’s important to talk to someone about what you’re thinking. The “best school” may not be the best school for you, and that’s okay.

It’s important to research each school as much as you can, so you know exactly what type of college you want to commit to. Even if you commit, and you feel it’s not the school for you, that’s completely fine. You can always change your mind and transfer. What’s important is not choosing a school because of its name, but for what it offers to you. Good luck to all seniors, those who have committed, and those who are still deciding!