Choosing where to go to college is one of the biggest decisions a student will make, shaping not only their education but potentially their future career and personal growth. With countless options available, students must consider a variety of factors before making a final decision. Location, cost, academic programs, campus culture and financial opportunities all play a role in determining the best fit. Additionally, personal preferences, such as proximity to home or extracurricular opportunities, can heavily influence the decision. By weighing these factors carefully, students can ensure they choose a college that aligns with their goals and sets them up for success.
At Evanston Township High School, quite a few students can venture far beyond the city of Evanston, and even the state of Illinois. According to the ETHS seniors page, a student-run Instagram account that shows our class of 2025 career choices and college decisions, our Wildkits are going from coast to coast. From Amherst to Pomona, our students broaden their horizons as they seek out every opportunity this world offers. While dreams of heading out west to the Pacific or to the east coast to enjoy a few classic red brick buildings while sipping a latte seem incredible, many students have also opted to stay close to home.
It can be hard making college decisions, but for senior Amalia Thibodeaux, it was easy. After visiting the University of Michigan during her junior year, Thibodeaux instantly fell in love with their Top 10 nursing program. “I always knew nursing was going to be my major. When I visited campus last March, I knew it would be the right fit for me.”
Thibodeaux is currently taking a nursing course offered by ETHS that will allow her to become a certified nursing assistant by the end of the year. “I think taking ETHS’s nursing course was helpful for my applications,” she explains. “Seeing that on my Common App was probably one of the biggest factors in my acceptance.”
When asked if she had any factors contributing to why she accepted her offer at the University of Michigan, she said, “I knew they had one of the best nursing programs in the country. Everyone going to (University of Michigan) for nursing typically has a job offer before graduation.”
In a survey conducted by College Pulse, 49% of respondents reported that academic reputation contributed to their college decision. However, not all people choose based on academic reputation. If you’re looking to play sports in college, offers from schools may play a significant part in your decision.
For Gillian Colledge, a senior committed to Bowdoin College for volleyball, the college decision process differed from other students who had to fill out a Common App application. “When I first started playing volleyball, I wasn’t sure how far I could get in the sport,” she recounts. Colledge had already received multiple offers from DIII schools by junior year. “Bowdoin had a national championship volleyball team, and when I received an offer from their school, I was shocked.” Bowdoin quickly moved to the top of her list. “They were offering me a full tuition scholarship. And, for a private school, that was important.” Colledge is excited about her commitment to Bowdoin, which she made in November. She hopes to continue her academic pursuits, majoring in biochemistry, while playing volleyball competitively.
Choosing a college is a big decision, but it’s not a life sentence. No single choice will define your success – what truly matters is what you do once you get there. Whether you’re chasing your dream school, weighing financial aid offers or just trying to figure out where you’ll get the best meal plan, trust yourself. Do your research, ask questions and remember that no path is perfect, but every path holds opportunity. In the end, college is just the start of your journey, not the destination, so choose wisely, but don’t be afraid to take the leap.
