Seniors reflect on National Commit Day and their decisions

As senior Vanessa Wang stepped into the chilly air in Champaign, Illinois, she was mesmerized by her surroundings. From the college town that could potentially be her home to the “homey” atmosphere that she was immersed in, Wang’s visit to the University of Illinois was pivotal to the decision she made on May 1.

On May 1, seniors across the country had to commit to to their chosen colleges. Many students including Wang were torn between several colleges throughout the weeks that led up to National Commit Day.

For weeks, Wang was torn between the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Illinois. Having heard good things from students at both schools, Wang said her decision was one of the hardest she’d ever had to make.

“I [talked] to current students at both universities about their experiences,” she said. “There’s also the matter of whether a school has the activities I want to be a part of.”
When Wang visited Illinois during the week of April 6-11; it was then that she knew what her decision would be.

“I didn’t have too much trouble making a decision after I visited because when I left I told myself that I was going to come back, “ she said. “It was instantaneous.”

Her attraction to the school was furthered after she saw the Illinois area and the campus, explaining that she was excited by its location and the fact that it was in its own “bubble.”

Wang also said that the school was one of the best for a computer science major.

College visits were also essential to senior Gabriela Romo’s decision. Romo was choosing between Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, California and Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. She ultimately chose Willamette because of its archeology program.

“Becoming an archaeologist has been my dream for as long as I can remember and Willamette has exactly what I want,” Romo said.

However, like many seniors, Romo still has fears.

“My biggest fear was making a decision and committing and once I get there I end up not liking the school,” she said. “I don’t want to think that that will happen, I want to think that I made the right choice but it is scary.”

“I guess if anything, I’m worried that I picked a school where I’ll be miserable,” she said.

Additionally, while seniors take into account the prestige of a school, many other factors, including tuition, location and the atmosphere affect decisions.

“Even if it’s a dream school, I don’t want to put my parents on the streets just so I can go to an expensive college,” Romo said. “There are a lot of things to consider. For me, being comfortable and happy is a really important thing to consider, even more than the name.”

Ultimately, Romo explained, she feels that the decision that she made was the right one; she has faith in the future, and the plan that she has made for herself.

“I think everything happens for a reason and things will turn out the way they’re supposed to, so I’m not too worried,” she said. “I know in the end we’re all going to end up in the right place one way or another, not just in terms of college, but even after that, wherever life takes us.”