It’s that time of the year again when the seniors of our Gator family have decided where they’re venturing off to after they leave the Swamp. This year, however, more than ever, Gators are branching off even further than New Jersey. The CHOMPS’ very own editor-in-chief is heading down south to Eckerd in Florida!
While many Gators are staying in state and attending great colleges and universities, such as Widener or Rowan, we have Gators going all across the country! While the majority are staying on the East Coast, locations are greatly varied. We have Gators venturing to Virginia, Michigan, the Carolinas, Missouri, Maryland, and even Louisiana. Many are venturing off to much warmer states down South!
However, some are venturing even farther than the East Coast, such as Juliet Bender, who is attending Scripps College all the way in California. When asked what made her choose a college so far, she said, “What made me choose Scripps was because of the money they gave me but also because I wanted to experience being able to start over and being independent. Another important factor was I wanted to be able to change my mind and learn with a large amount of resources and liberal arts curriculum, as it allowed me to know what I absolutely want do to and get the absolute best opportunities.” She then discussed the logistics and the physical community of the campus:
While many Gators are already pretty certain about their major and career paths, others aren’t, and that’s totally okay! Programs, community, and flexibility are all major factors when it comes to deciding where to go post-high school.
However, for others, there’s another factor to consider when deciding where to go: sports. Matt Steedle, who will be attending Louisiana State University this fall, shared that LSU was his dream university since he was a kid, and this was all due to their football team, as LSU is a top-ranking university for football and other athletics.
For some students who are deciding whether to venture past New Jersey for their college education, large factors at play are legacy and family. Regardless of whether or not a university considers legacy when it comes to admission, many people consider where their parents or siblings were/are alumni. They may want to continue the family tradition, or go to an already familiar campus due to previous visits for helping with move-in.
Venturing past New Jersey state lines also sometimes boils down to where the best program for your career choice is. Schools such as Miami University (Ohio) have a great, highly regarded social work program. University of Michigan is often ranked as the top university for Nuclear Engineering. Eckerd is a college largely focused on marine sciences. Career paths of choice are a large motivator to attending an out-of-state college, as many are seeking the best education while also looking for the best price.
Whether you are staying in, or venturing outward, good luck to all of our exiting Seniors! You’ll do great things!
