By: Drew Mandeville 

     The final semester of school can mean many things, especially for high school students. Seniors are saying their final goodbyes, preparing to leave for college, and taking the last quizzes and tests they will take in their high school careers. For juniors, it means that they are entering their final year of high school and are preparing for the future of looking for a college to call home. The Squire is here to provide some insight on the college selection process. 

     For many students, college is a fresh start. According to The Institute for College Access and Success, as of 2020, “Around 2,000,000 of the incoming students in the research, remained in state, while over 500,000 move out of state for college.” Students that stay close to home have a plethora of reasons, such as being able to be home for events on the weekend or being able to help with homesickness that may affect students during their first time on campus. Eisenhower Guidance Counselor, Monica Linkerhof, commented on the perks of being close to home saying, “Whether a student stays close to home or moves farther away for college really is a big family decision. While most students can’t ‘wait to get out of here,’ staying closer to home has its benefits. If you are within a two-hour driving distance (or less), family members can come visit more often, you’re more able to go home on weekends, and, if an emergency arises, family can be there quickly.” On the other hand, Linkerhof also discussed the perks of being away, saying, “Being over two hours away from home allows the student more independence since they will not be going home on weekends and family normally isn’t able to come visit as often.” Having independence allows the student to find their own way and make new friends. Going to school is just the first step of the process. 

     Choosing a college is important, as universities can help you start your journey off right. Linkerhof highlighted important things to look out for when choosing a college, explaining, “Among some of the most important things to look for in a college are the cost (tuition, room/board, fees), the academic programs available, class size (teacher: student ratio), and graduation rates. Is this a school you will be able to stay at for your entire college career?” Linkerhof also recommended students to go and look for outside scholarships through the Warren County Community Foundation and other scholarship websites to reduce the cost of tuition and other costs that come with attending college. 

     Having a plan can help students map out where to go and what to do with their majors, as well as work towards their future job. While concerns will arise while in school, like which clubs to join, what intramurals or club sports to play, or what to do while on campus, knowing what to do academically and post-graduation is just as important for students. Having a plan can help you map out potential jobs and locations you may want to live and work at in the future. Linkerhof highlighted the importance, saying, “It is important to set a goal for college as this gives a ‘roadmap’ of what you want to do and where you want to be by the time college is over. It is also important to have target goals along the way, knowing the ultimate end goal is graduation and a job in the field you just spent typically four years to obtain.”  

     The college search is a time-consuming process and finding a school that has your major and everything you want in a college is difficult. The Squire encourages students to go on visits to every school they can, reach out to professors, and do research of their own to find a place to call home.