College Prep

I've been thinking very much about college of late. I'm a bit anxious. School will undoubtedly be difficult to get through this year. I fear senioritis might be setting in a tiny bit early. I have decided that there are three choices for my college education and I almost refuse to hear any other suggestions for the simple fact that three is hard enough to pick from. I fear the more colleges I add to my list the more difficult choosing will become.

So, my three choices are Michigan State University, Penn State University, and Ohio State University. Those are in no particular order. I have no first choice at the moment. I'm hoping very much that after I visit each of these schools for a second time I will be more clear about where I am headed. I loved different aspects of all three schools. Though since most of my family went to Pitt I fear that Penn State would not be as accepted. I know that no one is about to disown me for my choice. I know that everyone will love me just the same. However, that does not change the fact that most of my family members have looked down on Penn State for many years.

I visited all three of these schools already, but each visit was spread apart by at least 6 months, I believe. That long separation makes it difficult to compare the schools so my father gave the idea of visiting all three schools in one week. On August 7 my father and I will be visiting Michigan State University. I have a campus tour and admissions presentation in the morning and then a meeting with a woman in the Hospitality Management department in the afternoon.

On August 8 my father and I will be visiting Ohio State University with a campus tour and admissions presentation in the morning and then a meeting in the Hospitality Management department in the afternoon.

Then lastly, on August 9 my father and I will be visiting...any guesses?...Penn State University and we have a campus tour and admissions presentation scheduled in the morning. I have requested a meeting in the Hospitality Management department in the afternoon but no one has gotten back to me on that so I may have to send a few more emails or a phone call. That meeting is probably the most crucial part of the visit.

Each of the three schools has an excellent Hospitality Management program. The only problem is they are all so different. Being different wouldnt be a bad thing if I knew exactly which way was best. I, however, am not sure what method I would prefer. I am hoping this trip will clear up my thoughts.

If all the programs were identical it would be much easier to decide which school I would prefer. I would simply make a chart such as the one below:


Close to Home PSU and OSU
Pretty Campus PSU and MSU
Friends PSU
Expenses PSU

Looking at this chart it seems clear where I should go. But then again it really isn't clear. I mean the expenses could change I could be offered more money at MSU or OSU. And money shouldnt be the deciding factor anyways as I've been told. Either way after looking at this chart my decision is no clearer. I may end up at PSU but this chart did not help decide that.

Oh well...you know that wasn't the point of this post but it sort of took over didn't it. The point was to say that I've been looking at lists of things to bring to college so I'm prepared when the time comes and I'm not frantically running about. So, I was searching online and I found the Ultimate College Packing List. This took up 7 pages on a word document and I was thinking 'this is amazing. The list is co-ed so I was able to get rid of things such as -boxers. I also got rid of -oven mit, because I don't think I'll have access to a kitchen at least my freshman year. I managed to narrow the list down to 5 pages. I decided that if I follow my version of the list I will truly have everything I could ever need at college and I will be prepared for anything. Now the challenge is to figure out how to pack this in a condensed way because depending on where I go to school I won't want to make more than one trip. I don't think that will be a problem though. I'm good at packing things in tight areas, it just makes for heavy suitcases.

I think thats all for now. Wish me luck at my college visits!


Loving Everyone Always Forever