When the time came to pick where I wanted to further my education, I really had no idea what I wanted in a school. I had a lot of decisions to make. Ultimately, I decided to spend a year at Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City, Missouri to use my A+ Scholarship and to explore my options. I always knew Northwest was a place I could see myself, my sister graduated from here and I had several friends from home that had come.
I spent first semester driving from Kansas City to Maryville to visit at least once a month. After a formal visit, some research, and a lot of though I ultimately I came to the conclusion that I no longer wanted to be at Maple Woods, I had found my home. When weighing my pros and cons I came up with a list of reasons why I loved this school; here it is.
1. I missed it when I was gone
The second I hugged my friends goodbye and hopped in my car to drive back to my reality in KC I couldn't wait for my next trip. Not only did I miss my friends and boyfriend, I missed Northwest in general. I fell in love with this school's atmosphere. Yes, there were some huge positives to staying in Kansas City and living at home and sticking with the whole free community college thing, but I came to the conclusion that that just wasn't for me. I wanted to have this experience the same things my friends were with them.
2. It's the perfect size
For a long time I thought I wanted to go somewhere big. A big campus in a big city. When I came here I realized how perfect this campus is. It's a major convince that you can walk pretty much anywhere you need to go. There are plenty of people here I know which is very comforting but there are also people to meet.Class sizes are small enough you get to know the people around you and your professors.
3. The bond the students share
As students of Northwest Missouri State University there is a bond we share. It doesn't matter where you're from or what you're involved in on campus, whether it's our football team winning the national championship or the death of a fellow Bearcat, we come together. We take a lot of pride in our school.
4. All this school has to offer
Not only is it an affordable school, but they provide you with a laptop and textbooks. However, It goes beyond that. They do everything they can to make the students feel valued and have everything they need to succeed. There are also so many ways for you to get involved here.When I got here I was more motivated than I ever had been to get involved with my school and to find where I belong. It's proven that 98 percent of students from Northwest have a job or are in graduate school within a year of graduation.This is because of all this school has to offer it is students.
5. Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat
I know this will be true for me. I take a lot of pride in being a part of this school. I love sharing this bond with those around me. I love cheering in the student sections at the sporting events, being right down the hall from my best friends that are more like family, being part of the sisterhood of my sorority, and making connections with all of my amazing fellow students. I believe with my whole heart that I made one of the best choices when I decided to transfer to this school and the rest of my time here will be the best time of my life. The people I've met and the memories I have made here will always be with me and Maryville, Missouri will always have a place in my heart.
