After submitting all of your essays, transcripts, recommendation letters, and surviving the long waiting process, you finally get your decisions, and that’s when you realize something. All of the work you put in before, no matter how hard it was, is definitely not the hardest thing you have to do in your senior year. The hardest part is actually committing to a college.
I see all of my friends already happily committed: posting on the senior Instagram page, hyping each other up in the comments, and reposting each other’s stories. Meanwhile, I still haven’t committed to anything, even though I practically have all of my decisions made for me.
I was anxiously waiting for UT Austin’s decision, which came out on Feb. 15. However, as soon as I opened the portal, I found out that I had been capped. Honestly, I wasn’t really expecting much since I’m not ranked, and UT tends to prefer ranked applicants, especially when it comes to admitting people to one of their most competitive programs: the McCombs School of Business. Still, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed (and so did everyone around me). What was incredibly shocking, however, was how quickly people started asking me, “So, where are you going? What’s your plan now?” I had just been rejected from a school I thought I might end up at if I miraculously got in, and suddenly, people were already asking for my backup plan.
It’s honestly hard being a senior in March without knowing where you’re going. Everyone around you seems to have it all figured out, but you still don’t.
Although I’ve narrowed it down to two options, I’m still not entirely sure which college I’ll choose. I want to study global business with a concentration in finance, but each school has its own advantages and disadvantages.
On one hand, you have UT Arlington (UTA), whose biggest selling point is the cost. It is insanely cheap for me. I received about $10,000 in scholarships each year, which would bring my total tuition to $1,000-2,000. That means I would graduate with very little debt, which my future self would definitely appreciate. However, it’s located in Arlington, so I would either have to live there or figure out a schedule that allows me to commute at least an hour to campus and an hour back. So while the financial benefits are huge, the logistics would be challenging.
On the other hand, UT Dallas (UTD) has the strongest program I’ve seen for my major. I really like that they offer a global business degree with specific concentrations, and based on those concentrations, you take specialized courses. Some of these courses are internship-based classes where your credit comes from actually working in the field. I really love that structure. Other schools I applied to, like UNT, encourage internships but don’t require them, so many students never actually do one. But at UTD, you’re basically required to gain real-world experience before graduating, which is something I really value.
The curriculum at UTD is more challenging compared to the other schools I applied to. While that might sound overwhelming, I genuinely enjoy learning, and I want to feel like I’m getting my money’s worth from my education. To me, that means being challenged, struggling sometimes, and becoming more knowledgeable and capable in the process.
Financially, UTD would cost considerably more than UTA. I received a $5,000 scholarship, reducing the cost from about $15,000 to around $10,000 per year. And since the campus is only 20-30 minutes from my house, I could commute easily and avoid housing costs.
As you read this, you’re probably confused as to why it’s so hard for me to choose the obvious answer: UTD. But honestly, I feel like a lot comes from the judgment that comes with choosing a public in-state school. Almost all of my friends want to go far away, experience independence, and have that traditional college adventure. And honestly, those are things I want too. But I constantly have to remind myself that this just isn’t my time for that yet.
I’ve always wanted more: to go far, try new things, and explore new places. It’s difficult to accept that those opportunities might not come my way in the next four years, since I have three additional years of law school to pay for (which I hope to do in New York City), and saving money now matters more for my future.
I think that’s what makes this decision so difficult. Choosing a college is deeply personal. It’s one of the first major decisions in your life that is almost entirely based on your needs and what will best support your future. It’s hard not to think about what other people are doing or what they might say, but at the end of the day, you have to stay true to what works for you.
Before I Lea-ve,
Remember that wherever you end up, trust that you will succeed because you’ve already built the discipline and resilience you need to create your own path. Don’t let other people’s opinions shape a decision that is meant for your life.
