I Wish I Had a Time Machine

With a quarter of senior year completed and college application deadlines looming, it's crunch time for many members of the class of 2013. I am in the process of finalizing the list of schools I will be applying to, and a big part of narrowing down the list for me is visiting colleges to see if I like what they have to offer. In a couple weeks, once I am done taking two SAT II's (Hallelujah!), I will fly out to Virginia to meet my dad and visit the University of Virginia, Swarthmore College, and UPenn. I have already visited the University of Michigan, Cornell University, and Washington University in St. Louis, but visiting a few more schools will help me make sure I'm satisfied with everything on my list.

Throughout this entire process of taking standardized tests, visiting schools, writing college essays, and looking into various scholarships, I have realized that applying to college can be kind of a guessing game for someone like me. Getting a glimpse into the future would come in handy right about now; being able to see where I end up out of the colleges I am applying to would make things much clearer. I would only have to write a couple essays for that one school and then be done!

I envy my peers who already have a sense of where they will go, what scholarships they have received, and what programs (athletics, Greek life, etc.) they can be a part of. I, however, am still unclear on my intentions. Out of the schools I am applying to, I think I would be content and able to thrive at any of them. But unfortunately, simply getting accepted and being happy are not the only things that determine where I, and where many others applying to college, will go. Money matters. As much as we would like to believe that anyone who is worthy, no matter their home situation, can have a shot at making it into a good college, that's not quite the case. Financial background can make a big difference. Being able to apply "Early Decision" (and therefore being bound to that school without knowing how much financial assistance you may or may not receive) gives students a higher chance of getting accepted, having familial connections to a university often makes you a noteworthy applicant, and being able to apply to places without worrying as much about the cost of attendance or transportation opens up a wider variety of schools within reach.

As far as my own future, I will probably go to the school that makes the most sense for my family and me: one that will probably be relatively close to home and cost-effective. And I'm fine with that--going to the least expensive of the places I am applying won't prevent me from getting a great education. I've just got some qualms about the process. Figuring out where I can go and what makes the most sense can be a lot of work and stress. If only I had a time machine so I could see how this will all turn out...