Now that the college selection process is behind me, I see how my priorities shifted. I still ended up at a school a reasonable distance from home with an excellent math education program, but those were not the reasons I chose Messiah University. Even the university’s values did not set it apart from the rest. When selecting a college, it was my most specific criteria that determined the school.

One of the standards I held since the beginning of my college search was affordability, and it took some work to defend it. As a prospective teacher, I knew from the start that financials would be a concern, and as a math major, of course I had to run the numbers. While my parents may be able to provide some assistance, I will be paying for the majority of my education myself. In order to maintain affordability, I calculated and recalculated the price, considered alternatives like community college or a gap year, talked to my advisor and my parents, and found ways to minimize the cost. Ultimately, after much deliberation and a couple of miracles, I was able to offset the cost enough to make financial freedom possible within my first few years of teaching.

Perhaps it stems from my interest in education, but I believe in learning from multiple perspectives and wanted a school that values the same. Though I may disagree, I appreciate hearing alternative points of view. By challenging my comfort level and exposing myself to other opinions, I have learned to think more critically, evaluate my own beliefs and perspectives, and see the wider picture. Higher education should promote wise exploration and examination of one’s beliefs, especially during the highly formative years of early adulthood. Over and above the other colleges I considered, the college I chose creates and promotes this type of environment, both in and outside the classroom.

I didn’t realize the significance of a college’s community until after my first semester began. The standards and expectations held by a college will impact the students, whether it is for better or for worse, so the community you choose is important. While I value diversity of thought, I also want to surround myself with people who will shape me into the person I want to become. I’m in the honors program because I want to push myself academically. I attend the education club and the math department’s events to improve my skills and knowledge within my field. I chose a Christian college and surrounded myself with friends who would push me to grow deeper in my faith. And I go dancing, take choir classes, and learn sign language because I want to explore the arts and see how it interacts with the world of STEM. I intentionally chose communities that will motivate me to become a better and more well-rounded person.

Looking back on the college selection process, the three factors that were most significant for me were affordability, hearing multiple perspectives, and how the community’s values shape the individuals. Along the way, I considered my situation and a few of my deeper personal values. While it is nearly impossible for a college to be perfect, I found one that is the right fit for me.