My personal experiences, beliefs, and values are the most important aspects of what college will fit my dreams. Within these ideas lie what I look for, such as the strength of the school in the area I want to study, activities on campus, as well as the presence of the military on campus.
There are questions all students think about when looking at college. Small or large? Urban or rural? Public or private? This are all valid questions, because you obviously don't want to be going to school in the desert, for example, if you don't like the summer heat of Minnesota.
However these decisions alone should not shape college decisions. While important, the point of college is to study, so academics should shape any college search. The strength of academics is very important to me, especially the strength of the science, math, and engineering programs, which is what I plan on studying. I want to have professors who care about me as a person, who aren't so busy with research that they have no time to dedicate to their teaching obligations that leads to a piss-poor effort at best. Also as important in academics are the programs offered at the school or by the school. Special programs not offered by other schools, wide study abroad options avalible to many different locations around the world, and special opportunities in making connections with possible future employers are all important to me. The academic aspect is the place where all collegians make there biggest impact on their school, helping schools develop and gain status as "elite." This is why the Harvard's and Yale's of the world are so famous and elite, and I hope to continue this tradition no matter what school I actually end up attending.
College isn't all about studying though, and all colleges need to have fun activities to partake in in the free time I have. I love sports, so having great athletic teams is a huge leg up for any school, and I want to be able to attend games with national title implications that I currently watch on Saturday nights. However, just as important is the opportunity to be able to play intramural sports with friends on campus. I want to have many other clubs avaliable to me as well, of many different varities, and I want to see many of my fellow students involved on campus. You attend college for four years, and you want to be able to have fun those four years, which are some of the best years of your life, and I want to be able to have some of my greatest memories and friends come from this school.
I am an atypical college searcher however, in that I want to go into the military after college and become an officer. For this reason, I am attracted to schools such as West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy, even if it means a different college experience. I want to serve my country and continue in the long line of tradition of serving as an officer for this great country, and be associated with amazing Americans such as George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, Dwight Eisenhower, and David Petraeus, all of whom were or currently are Generals in the United States Army. If I cannot attend one of the universities I consider the finest in the world, then I want whatever school I attend to have a strong ROTC program, where I can become an officer upon graduating. The military is one of the most amazing opportunities avaliable to any person, and I want to join the great number of people who have served and sacrified in the name of the United States of America.
College is an exciting time, but the search can be very laborous and time-consuming. To find your dream school, you have to look really deeply inside of yourself. You and only you know what school is the right school for you, and only you can get yourself there. I know that the perfect school for me is out there somewhere, and I know that I will find it, but I have to work hard to find that place that fits my beliefs and values, and I know that if I work hard, there is no way they will be able to not accept me to join their great academic community, where I can contribute and impact the world.
Although I don't share your enthusiasm for the military, I am similar to you in considering primarily academics in a school. But here I am a little different too: I prefer high research activity in a school.
ReplyDeleteSame. I dont plan on becoming an officer after college, but if the teachers aren't there to teach, I'm not going. It has to have a strong acedemic history, and maybe some study abroad options.
ReplyDeleteEric,
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's extremely interesting that I should happen to read this. I was in fact at Air Force Academy in Colorado this summer and spent a few days just exploring the campus. I loved it so much that I have looked into it to some degree. Although I'm sure you're aware of this, the requirements are extremely rigorous. About eighty percent of people taken into the Academy are Valedictorians. Not to mention the letter of recomendation from a congressman that you need and numerous other requirements. However, the graduates that I have talked to all say that the Academy was the best experience of their life. Congratulations on your excellent choice and the best of luck getting in... you'll need it.