WRITING CHALLENGE #1

"This was some adventure, huh?"

There, I said it. I'd like to take this time to talk about the adventure of the college process, which I have just very recently completed. Last night, I sat down with my parents and told them that I had made finally made a decision on where I will land next year - Washington University in St. Louis. Earlier that day my mom and I had made a day trip down to Madison, where I met up with my friend's sister and sat in on a few classes. Madison was my final stop on a long, tiring journey that lasted nearly two years.

It all started the fall of my junior year, when I took the Project Success trip to Chicago to visit such schools as Northwestern, DePaul, and University of Chicago. The school that most caught my eye was Northwestern, and I applied there. This was the only school that I did not get in, although technically I wasn't denied - I was waitlisted. Looking back on it, I'm glad they didn't outright accept me because it would have made my final choice that much harder.

Not many other schools were on my radar until my family and I decided on hiring a college advisor, a decision that I am thankful we made. She helped me find colleges that were of my liking, and helped me through the whole application process. I did not know what Washington Univeristy in St. Louis was until she suggested it to me, and I ended up visiting there this past summer and spent a night just a couple weeks ago. This trip was actually paid for by Wash U, as they offered this to me in their acceptance letter. That last trip really helped me in my final decision, I'm glad that I went.

The other schools I looked at, as well as getting accepted to, were Michigan, UW-Madison, and the U. I toured all three, and liked them all. But Michigan felt too big and too expensive for a public school, and the U was just too close. I wanted a change of scenery, so that was immediately out. That left UW-Madison, which was far enough away and also a great financial deal. This would be one of my final two options, and would go head-to-head with Wash U.

In the end, I chose Wash U. I chose it because I really got that gut feeling when I was walking around campus and sitting in on classes. You know, that feeling you get when you know something is really right. I felt comfortable, safe, and I know it will set me up and prepare me for an amazing life after college. I feel confident in my decision, and can't wait to go down to St. Louis in the fall.