Get over the college A-list
Now is the time that students all over the United States are fretting over their mailboxes waiting for their college admissions letters. I used to be one of those high school seniors. I thought college was all about going to a big name school that everyone would “ooh” and “ahh” over when they heard what it was. I was convinced, convinced that I was going to attend Boston University come next fall.
Perhaps you expect me to say that BU rejected me. They didn’t. I was accepted with a (albeit a bit small) scholarship. I could have been sloshing through half-melted snow before flying home for spring break, but I decided against it. I actually chose a smaller, unknown school that offered me a full tuition grant. Yes, money was an issue. I couldn’t have my parents up to their noses in my tuition debt when they are still paying off a house in the middle of a state with exorbitantly high real estate prices.
But do I now regret choosing a smaller, unknown school over huge Boston University? Not so much. I have some great friends here, the education is actually not second rate, and the food doesn’t make me want to puke. In short, I don’t feel as if I’m missing anything from avoiding the A-List college. Would I have had the same experience? Definitely not. If I had gone to BU, would I have ever wanted to even consider what my current college would have been like? Probably not.
However, this college has made me realize that name and rank on some arbitrary list isn’t everything. So to all high school seniors who are biting their nails–don’t worry about it. After all, you can always transfer out.
Posted on March 31st, 2007 by Joy
Filed under: College, Uncategorized
Duly noted.
That’s still no excuse to be lazy and fill out only one application though. Not that I know what that’s like or anything.
I think that maybe before transferring, some scholarship stuff needs to be put in order so that one might be able to transfer somewhere cool, like Boston, so that the money isn’t an issue later as it would be now. just a thought.
nya
But you’re not going to Boston, right?
So far as I know.
My thoughts exactly! Except for the hoping I got into my A-list schools.
As soon as I really read into Evansville, something inside went off and it became the only school I wanted to go to. I only applied to other schools to satisfied my parents need for me to have “options in case I changed my mind.” I didn’t, obviously, and I’m so happy for it; one of the reasons that I met you! Yay!
And money was never an issue. Not because I’m rich or anything, but because I just really didn’t care about paying loans to anywhere I really wanted to go to, a frame of mind which I’m sure I’ll regret in three to four years.
read my email!!! i wrote to the ieatgames one.
this is a good blog.
i wish i read it earlier…like the day i got all the rejection letters…
abby
I think, really, it’s all down to you. You’re the person who controls your life, and you can make it succeed. Granted, of course, the name of the college does matter too, but really it’s down to you. But, why should I be talking? I’ve got another five years ’til college/university. Hehe.