Navigating My Future: A Journey Through Making My College Decision
“Visiting colleges and doing research before making a final decision is one of the most important steps in the college process. It's easy to make a decision based solely on the analytics you see online, but nothing compares to being in person on campus.”
During April, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the colleges I was accepted to: Skidmore College, Syracuse University, and Connecticut College through multiple college-sponsored trips. These visits weren’t just about touring a college for the fun of it, but they were the pivotal moments in me deciding the next four years of my life.
With each college visit I encountered, I experienced different perspectives of campus life, academic environments, and the communities that could soon become my own. All of these colleges had their pros and cons, and each helped me reflect on where I see myself growing both academically and personally.
Clarkson University was the first stop on my college tour and set the tone for some of the schools I would see on this college tour. It was a small school in Potsdam, NY, 6 hours away from the city. It was the farthest and coldest school I visited, but with a tight-knit community. Once I got to Clarkson, I was impressed by how STEM-focused and hands-on the school was. During my visit, I toured the labs, sat in a chemistry class, and even spoke to a few professors who highlighted how much support students would receive and the immense amount of internship and career opportunities at the school. The students I met were incredibly nice and helpful in informing me about the school and all its opportunities. They all had side hobbies. I also met with an alumnus, Samuel Garcia, class of 2024, whom I stayed with during my visit.
My second stop was Skidmore College, where the creative campus culture and focus on liberal arts stood out to me immediately. Additionally, Skidmore wasn’t too far from home but was also close enough that I could get back home in three hours. Skidmore is also 15 minutes outside of Albany, the state capital of New York.
I attended Skidmore’s Accepted Students Day, where I spoke with current students and explored all the buildings on campus. What truly caught my attention was how new and modern all the buildings on campus were, which gave a modern and inspiring feel that intrigued me. The community at Clarkson was very close and collective, making Skidmore feel like a place that emphasizes individuality while also fostering community.
My visit to Syracuse University was a one-day trip that I took with my older sister, and although it was a self-guided tour, it gave me a solid sense of the school's size and atmosphere. Syracuse was the biggest school I visited from my top choices. I didn’t believe that it was going to be such a big school until I visited, but I realized the gravity of what a big school was like. It was like a city in a school.
It didn't take long for us to feel exhausted from walking and only seeing about 60% of campus, but I was able to get a sense of the energy on campus and how the student body was. The students were proudly repping their Orange gear and were nice enough to help me with questions I had. The buildings all had a historic feel and reflected the school’s pride and history. Though I wasn’t able to sit in a class or go through a guided tour, being on campus gave me a glimpse into what life would be at a large university where school pride is a big factor.
Among all the colleges I explored, Connecticut College stood out for how calm it felt. Over the three days I was there, I got to see what everyday life was on campus and also met with professors who would guide me through my post-secondary path. Connecticut College is a small liberal arts school, but it felt large. I walked through campus multiple times and was shocked at how long it took to walk across the whole campus.
On the second day of my stay, I was able to watch an African Student Union fashion show, which displayed the Connecticut College community. It felt like the whole school was there to support the performers, and the vibe was impeccable.
Visiting colleges and doing research before making a final decision is one of the most important steps in the college process. It's easy to make a decision based solely on the analytics you see online, but nothing compares to being in person. Being able to experience a little glimpse of what your daily life at this campus would be for the next four years can help you decide where you see yourself fitting in. Each school has its unique features that make it different from others. These visits helped me understand not just what college offered academically, but also the kind of environment that was right for me.
After visiting each campus, reflecting on what I valued most, and thinking seriously about my future, I ultimately chose Skidmore College. It offered what I was looking for: a vibrant, creative community with a strong liberal arts foundation and modern feel. Although Skidmore doesn't offer my intended major directly, I was fascinated with the opportunity of the 3+2 engineering program with Dartmouth, which allows students to earn degrees from both institutions. It feels like the best fit for me.