Seniors finalize college decisions

Seniors+finalize+college+decisions

The most exciting time of the year has arrived for seniors. 

As the final quarter of the academic year begins, most colleges have announced which seniors they have accepted for attendance.

Now, after all their work in high school, seniors get to focus on selecting the place where they will live and study for the next four years.

“Almost all seniors are accepted into at least one college each year,” College and Career Specialist Angela Feldbush said.  “As they decide which college they plan to attend, many students will come and move their flag from the accepted section to the committed section of the windows in the media center.  Many of them are deciding right now and most will come to a decision in the near future.”    

Senior Faith Collins said she has decided to attend Florida State University after learning she had been accepted.

“I picked FSU because it felt the most like home when I toured,” Collins said. “They have a really good program for my major, and with Bright Futures, it was the best deal for a quality education.”

Collins said she will be majoring in communications sciences and disorders with plans to become a pediatric speech therapist.

Senior Lance Stern said he has chosen to attend the University of Florida after being accepted in February. 

“I have been a Gator my whole life, and I was very excited when I received my acceptance,” Stern said. “It was a dream come true.”

Stern plans to major in statistics.

Even though the acceptance and selection process is an exciting time, Feldbush advised that seniors still have important work to do after they make their college selections.

“It is important for them to notify all colleges to which they have applied that they have committed to a college,” Feldbush said. “Reaching out to the college you plan to attend to make sure that they have accurate financial aid information, FAFSA forms, Bright Futures qualifications and residency declarations is also important.”

Feldbush pointed out that these steps are important to qualify for financial aid.

Feldbush emphasized that seniors will also need to be prepared to pay deposits for registration and housing and schedule an orientation session.  Finally, Feldbush made a point to remind seniors to send their official test scores and final transcripts to the college they choose.

Even though seniors still have many important tasks ahead to confirm their attendance at the college they choose, it doesn’t appear to be taking away from their excitement for the future.

“I am looking forward to the freedom and new people I will be meeting in college,” Collins said.  “It definitely is a whole other world, and I’m excited to take this next step in life.”  

By Lily Repperger