Students who attend Colonia High School that have decided that they want a college education have started to consider their options and the process involved in choosing a school is both individualized and complicated.
So what should really be done when it comes to deciding what school is right? Guidance counselor Ann Dinicola stated, “It is truly a process, it’s such a personal thing, it is your life, your career and your happiness, and it is the unknown that scares people.” The most common concern for a student is the cost. The five-digit “sticker price” seen on college websites is surely not an appealing one.
One thing suggested by Dinicola was to apply for FAFSA, or Free Application For Student Aid. They are the largest provider of financial support for college students in the nation, receiving almost ten million applicants each year. There are also countless scholarship opportunities available, and there is always the option to take out loans. Students should not let some silly number ruin their chance of attending the school they always dreamed of.
Another thing students seemed to have issues with is reaching out to their guardians for support. Every student has a guardian with an opinion, whether they want their child to attend an Ivy League school, or just want their child to get a job. The truth is, guardians just want to support their children and see them succeed. Dinicola stated that “Teenagers need to discuss their opinions and their wants. There must be communication with their parents or guardians about their future.”
When it comes to these important decisions, not just about college, but about the future in general, it is important for students to share their opinions with guardians. Lack of communication between children and their caretakers only hurts their relationship, and affects the child’s future in a negative way. Concerns that students have with sharing their opinions is the reaction of their guardians and how they could feel, it is more important that they understand their children and their needs.
Colonia High School senior Adriana Montoya stated, ” I kept a piggy bank to save money, I also received help from my family, aunts, and uncles.” Montoya was accepted to The University of New Haven in Connecticut and is planning to attend the school next fall. She was able to attend a school with all of her wants by preparing herself mentally and financially. It is not just money and family that affects a student’s choice and school; location, class size, education quality, and environment are just a few of the more common things that college applicants look for. Montoya wanted a school with a small class, and a high quality education. The University of New Haven was a school that suited her needs.
“My advice to you” Montoya said, “plan before senior year and do not slack.”
Visiting colleges in person is a great way to gain insight, even just poking around on a school website can be a great help when students are deciding if a school could be right. Whether a student is interested in the sciences or literature, there is something out there, and by doing research they can discover what a college has to offer, what type of person they are, and where they could find their fit.
