When choosing a university, SCHS seniors consider various factors in order to find the best fit for them. They often choose a school based on campus environment, sports offers or academic programs.

After her early decision acceptance, Senior Martyna Sobczyk committed to Duke University and will be majoring in biomedical engineering. Throughout high school, she was driven by her personal goal of attending a four-year university and medical school in the future.

“My major and what I’ve wanted to do has been set since freshman year. I set out all the AP’s I was going to take, all the classes, all the extracurriculars I wanted,” Sobczyk said. “I wanted a major that would make me more competitive for med school, so I did biomedical engineering.”

Alternatively, senior Robert Ray was driven by passion when looking for the right university. Initially, Ray was not convinced that a four-year university was the right choice for him, but in his junior year, he realized that was his desired path after high school. Ray decided to commit to Montana State University as a wildlife habitat management and ecology major, excited that it would allow him to follow his passion into higher education.

“I’m an Eagle Scout, so the outdoors is a big aspect of my life. I don’t think I would be where I am in life without the outdoors,” Ray said. “That’s something that I want to kind of protect and pass on and share with future generations.”

Similarly, senior Jordyn Guzman wanted to follow her passion of working with children. At first, Guzman was uncertain about her now-committed school Friends University. After visiting, Friends University quickly became Guzman’s top choice for a four-year home.

“I knew I wanted to go away. Then I got the offer for softball (at Friends University), and it all kind of just fell into place,” Guzman said. “I met with the education advisor, and she was supportive and helpful and talked me through all the classes that I need to take and all the programs that they have to offer for Early Education.”

Athletic opportunities are another reason that students may commit to a university. Like Guzman, senior Clarissa Co received an offer from her university of interest. Being able to communicate and socialize with Carnegie Mellon University’s diving team gave Co a sense of direction and community she is excited to explore in the upcoming years.

“I went there, I met the coach, I met the team. It really felt like the college experience, which is something I feel like you can’t really envision if you’re not there,” Co said. “I really could see myself there. I really liked it when I visited and I stayed overnight. I had a really fun time there and ultimately that’s the one I committed to.”

Academic counselor Oscar Martinez agrees that visiting a university and experiencing its campus life and community is one of the most important factors when deciding where to attend. Whether it is a community college or a four-year university, visiting different campuses offers a firsthand look at what life will be like for the next few years.

When Martinez transferred to UCLA from community college, he instantly fell in love with the campus environment. He consistently encourages students to visit universities to see if they can see themselves fitting in there.

“I did a lot of clubs and activities (at community college). I wanted to make sure that I empowered others around me that maybe didn’t have someone to encourage them. I love that about community college, that it’s a smaller environment,” Martinez said. “When I went to UCLA, I loved that everybody was goal-oriented and ambitious. There was always something happening, and it just felt like somewhere I would like being.”

While there are many factors to consider when choosing a college, the decision can represent an opportunity for change, growth and new experiences. Martinez believes that it is important to find a school that feels right, not just academically but socially as well.

“Find a community at each school and you’ll be super happy. You’ll feel like it’s home,” Martinez said.

Martinez believes picking the right college route – whether it is a community college or a four-year university – is entirely up to the student. Once that decision is made, Guzman explained that higher education can open doors to future career opportunities and provide a chance for personal growth while fostering independence.

“I’m excited to meet new people and branch out and start a new life,” Guzman said. “No one knows me. I’m like a nobody to everyone. I feel like finding my place and finding my people would be good.”