News Story

At Eastview High School, spring fever is definitely beginning to set in, especially for the seniors who are beginning to make their decisions for what their plans are following graduation in June. For most students, choosing a four year university or technical college will be their main decision. Others, however, will choose to join the military, while others choose to enter the workforce immediately following graduation. But for the most part, seniors from Eastview will be sorting through over 4000 colleges in the United States, with some even choosing international schools, for their path following high school. Because of the almost overwhelming number of schools to choose from, finding a school that is right for you is the most important aspect. Also, due to the sheer number of schools to consider, narrowing down these colleges by thinking of certain criteria is important as well.
In making these decisions, many students look to their parents, friends, role models as well as other places for help in picking their future college. Some students, like senior Jack McDevitt, rely on that “gut feeling” they experience on the campus of their dream school; when asked about what he feels is the most important factor in deciding on a school, Jack responded with, “What feels right. You're never going to know if it's right until you get there, so you have to go with your gut feeling. Money, location, parents, academics all matter, but if you go into college having a negative feeling, it's never going to work out.” Many students, while looking for their ideal school, rely on the opinion of their parents. While it is mostly the students’ decision, many families are faced with this selection as well. Junior Rachel Raske, who is just beginning to think about her plans following graduation, has relied on her family for guidance throughout the entire process. She explains that, “We [her parents and her] have talked multiple times about what schools I am looking at, and what they think of those schools. We've also talked a little about financial aid.” Since it is such a large decision, Rachel looked to her parents for their advice about their own college experiences, knowing that they were only looking out for her best interests. McDevitt, too, asked for his parents opinion throughout the course of making a decision.
While parents are a large influence in the college decision process, there are many other variables that go into such an important choice. Jenny Handke, a Senior looking to attend the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, thought about “Location, size and major choice,” when first looking at colleges. Handke’s perspective of looking based on certain circumstances is historically what most students do in the beginning of their college search. Factors such as the size of the school, location, proximity to home, academic choices, as well as cost all weigh in on student’s decisions. For some students, religious views as well as the moral ideals of the school play a large aspect. For Raske, her church was not a big influence on her decision, mainly because she is not active in her own faith community.
While this is a stressful time for seniors, many students are looking forward to the freedom and independence of their next four years at college. In making what is most likely the most important decision of their lives thus far, seniors have many different aspects to consider when looking at a university or college, ranging from parental influences to location and proximity. No matter the choice they make, however, Eastview High School’s seniors are guaranteed to succeed following graduation, no matter what path they decide to take.