As the infamous responsibilities college applications invoke every year roll around, seniors face the dreaded question. What do I really want in a college? Financial aid, work, athletics, a social life, and family are some of the biggest contenders in a senior’s final decision.
Opportunities such as scholarships and financial aid are crucial to where some individuals go to college. The added variables of balancing a job or participating in collegiate sports can make finding the right place for you even more difficult. Looking forward to scholarship opportunities, Lucas Ogden ‘25 also plans to work throughout college.
“Hopefully I get scholarships and financial aid, and then my parents will be paying for a lot of it,” Ogden said. “I also plan to work this summer.”
The search gets even more specific when you add in arguably the biggest factor: Majors. Some colleges are better fit for a specific major or better prepare you for a postgraduate education relating to your major. Planning on attending Macomb Community College to take classes before transferring to a 4-year school, Lilly Brieden ‘25 is hopeful about going into nursing.
“I want to go into nursing, so I’m really looking to see if a college has a really good nursing program,” Brieden said. “I’m looking at how much the program is, what they offer, and what kinds of specialty nursing programs they provide.”
Proximity to home as well as size is a big deal to some South seniors. Due to the South being considered an average to large school, many prefer the atmosphere of a big student body. Socialization and peers are a significant part of the college experience, so there is no doubt opinions on it are heavy in determining which school fits you best. Noah Hart ‘25 plans on branching out and moving far to learn to be independent and live on his own.
“I am hopefully going into a Big 10 school, I am also considering Alabama or Georgia,” Hart said. “I definitely want to go to a bigger school. Grosse Pointe is kind of in this small bubble, and I want to get out of that. I want to meet new people and expand my social circle.”
The perks of being a “nepo baby”, according to the Education Data Initiative, children of college graduates are 61.4% more likely to attend college. This shows how much of an effect a parent’s education has on their child. Parents can help through financial aid, handling applications and assistance in choosing schools.
“My mom has been helping me a lot with where I want to go, what classes I should take, and in general what I want to do with my life,” Brieden said. “She also helped my sister who is at Macomb for nursing now, which is where I want to go. I think it is a really good school to start at, my mom has definitely helped me by looking into four-year schools where my credits can transfer.”
