I chose to attend Wright State University for many reasons. It wasn't my first pick though.Up until May of 2010, Bowling Green State University had been my first choice for an Ohio college. I was enrolled to start summer classes, had toured the campus a few times, spoken with an academic advisor, and made arrangements for housing. I also had many of my high school classmates graduate from BGSU. But before I made my final decision, I figured I should at least tour the other colleges that accepted me and also talk with an advisor. Kent State University was a complete fail, much too rowdy for my liking. Ohio State University had way too many students,and the surrounding area of the school reminded me too much of Cleveland State University. I am from a suburb about 25 minutes outside of Cleveland, and obviously am trying to get away from there. So why choose a school that reminded me of Cleveland? So OSU was out of the question. I visited Youngstown State University and was not impressed, however they offered a very good biology-pre-med program. Next on the list was Hiram, I loved everything except the cost of tuition. I am planning on being a doctor; therefore the less in student loans acquired by my undergraduate studies, the better the chances of me getting the loans needed for medical school. So Hiram was out of the question.
Last on the list was Wright State University. I had plenty of friends and family members who were graduates of WSU, and had nothing but great things to say about it. I also worked with several doctors and residents who completed their post graduate studies here. So I did much more research on WSU through the internet and the WSU website, then I compared the university to the others that I had already visited. The price was great, the school is located in a lower crime rate area, plenty of hospitals within a 30 minute radius (this is important because I work in nursing, and steady employment is important to me), I won't have to reside in a dorm or
even (the main campus offers apartments, bot single double, and quad), the retention and graduation rates are high, WSU also offers many degrees that spark my interest and can't help me reach my goal. So I finally set up my appointment with my advisor in Oleman Hall. I had already been familiar with where the campus was located because of my friends whom I had visited down here a few years ago. So after driving for 3 hours in 90 degree weather, I arrived to a freshly manicured campus and a clean, quiet neighborhood. Already I was happy just looking for a parking space. After parking my car, I needed to ask for directions to Oleman Hall. A female student very politely walked led me from the parking lot to my destination. How nice of her. During our walk I asked her what was it like attending WSU. She had told me that she transferred here from the University of Cincinnati and absolutely loved it. She explained that she was struggling with her classes after she arrived and her advisor and the student success center had a lot to do with her improving. She explained that first year students get free tutoring, and that if you just ask for the help, the school will do its best to see you through. After our brief conversation and what seemed to be like a very long walk from my car, I was filled with excitement about WSU before ever sitting in my adviser's office.
Some of my concerns academically were being able to meet the necessary academic
requirements for medical school, how long it would take me to get there, and being more than just prepared for the MCAT. I also wanted to make sure that the university offered degrees that would give me a plan b, c, and d option should I fail to gain acceptance to medical school. My advisor explained all of the necessary requirements would be met through the degree that I chose to pursue during my undergrad studies. She then printed out a student degree audit report for me. This report contained all of the classes I needed to take to fulfill my degree requirements; she also highlighted everything that was pre-med related. We even worked out and imaginary 4 year college schedule broken down by each quarter. None of the other academic advisors at the other universities took the time out to do this for me. They simply expressed how glad they were that I was considering their college, congratulated me on my acceptance, and then told me to schedule for my placement exams. How boring, they could have simply done that through email. My WSU advisor took her time when speaking to me and answered all of my questions, she even wrote down important numbers for me regarding housing and possible campus employment. She also assured me that I wouldn't feel out of place being that I am a 24 year old transfer student that has been out of college for 5 years, and out of high school for 7 years. My age and class had been a major concern for me returning back to college. I didn't like
the thought of some 18 or 19 year old being an upperclassman while I am still a freshman. I had been so used to being ahead of everyone my whole life, I graduated high school a year early and attended college while still in high school. I had always kept a very comfortable income since I was 16 years old. So all of this being behind or "normal" stuff is very odd for me. A definite confidence killer, but my advisor assured me that I would be absolutely fine, and that there would be plenty more students at WSU just like or similar to myself. With that I was sold.
I drove home smiling and excited to let my family know that I changed my mind from BGSU, to Wright State University. As soon as I got home, I set up my appointments for placement testing, and then I applied for campus housing. Afterwards I told my family the news and started all of my necessary planning to make my move to Fairborn for the fall quarter possible. So when I said I had many reasons for choosing WSU, I literally meant many. The academics, the cost, location of the school, activities offered, apartment housing options, the dedicated
faculty members all played a big role in me changing my mind about my first pick college. Since I been here, I have no regrets and am very satisfied with my decision. I recommend WSU to anyone who is serious about their education and their future. Wright State University was the best thing that has happened to me, and I know it will be for many more students to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment