Friday, October 1, 2010

Applying to an All Girls College

Many of my friends are surprised to hear of my interest in an all girls college. Even I am.

If you had told me last year I was applying early decision to Mount Holyoke, I wouldn't have believed you. I mean, just look at my previous post. I was set to go to a military academy! It's funny because I narrowed down my college choices to seven that I will be applying to and none of them are military academies. No Virginia Military Institute or the Citadel. Instead, I have schools like Smith College and Denison University on my list.

Well, whatever is supposed to happen will occur and I'll be happy either way.

That's something worth noting - I think whatever college I go to, I will be happy at. I am incredibly lucky that I have the opportunity to go to college as well! Granted, I'll only be able to consider the colleges I get an ROTC scholarship for, but still - how absolutely amazing is that!

I have three more colleges to finish applying to out of my seven.

I am almost done with two of them.

It's quite an exciting time as well as a super stressful one.

High school is definitely not what I would have thought it to be. Freshmen year was probably the best year but so far, high school is alright. Senior year is meh. It's like purgatory before getting to the next step of your life. You are just sitting around waiting.

Anyway, why was I writing this blog?

Girls college. Right. Got it.

Why do I want to go?

As my college admission essay for Mount Holyoke states, it's important to be able to articulate why you want to go.

Funny how that's the last thing left for me to do.

Why I Want to go:

1. It's an all girls college. This means 50 percent more girls than any other college AKA twice as many people to be best friends with!

2. It's not a party school. Some may find this a negative but those who know me would agree that it makes sense. Yes, I like having a good time but do I need craziness and loudness? No! I want to learn and be with others who want to learn!

3. It's part of the Five College Consortium. What does that mean? I can take classes and join clubs at four other institutions nearby and that include the University of Massachusetts!

4. UMass, as mentioned above, has one awesome percussion/mallets program that would be fun to try out for.

5. Have you seen Massachusetts and New England? Beautiful! I see photos and I am just thinking about the amazing hiking and running trails and I start salivating.

6. Traditions! Old private schools have a lot. A few of my favorite that I've read about include elfing and Mountain Day!

7. Small class sizes and discussions. Amen. Either Princeton Review or US World ranked them as the number one classroom experience.

8. This school keeps telling me it emphasizes writing and I had to send in a writing sample in the form of my work I've done for my current English class. I love writing and I love that they take it seriously!

9. They offer Russian. Not every college offers Russian.

Now, how to put all these in an intelligent sounding essay? Maybe, I'm not as great at writing as I thought ;).

Of course, if I don't get in it's not the end of the world. I would be completely happy at my state college as well! I am just keeping some doors open.

Later next week I'll be going to an information meeting at the state university I am most interested in.