Sitting in the car on my way to my first college visit, I thought I had my heart set on another school. I thought I’d just visit this school for the hell of it but it probably won’t be as great. Small campuses can’t have much to offer right? Clearly I was wrong though since I decided to spend my next four years there! Just the drive though in the fall was drop dead gorgeous! At least coming from my house there was tons of open farmland and the trees were just beginning to change colors.

I think one of the most memorable things from my first college tour was hearing one of the admissions counselors say, “Longwood is mostly girls, but that’s fine because Hampden Sydney is like right next door.” I’m not sure if that’s an exact quote but it definitely stuck with me. Hampden Sydney in case you don’t know is an all boys college, which is pretty much a huge frat from what I’ve heard. Every year hundreds of Longwood girls flock over to their campus hoping someone’s throwing a party there.

The admissions counselor proceeded to tell us a story about this kid who decided that he didn’t want to go to his BIO 101 class so the professor decided to teach the class in his dorm room. If that doesn’t make you scared to skip class I don’t know what will! Since Longwood is a smaller school it’s only logical that the class sizes are smaller which means you aren’t just a number in that class. We hadn’t even stated the tour and I was already in love with the school.

Walking around the campus I tried to imagine myself being there for the next four years. I figured if I can then it’s a right fit. Surprisingly enough, I could already see myself going to classes at Longwood and sleeping in their dorms, working out at their gorgeous gym. I guess what I’m trying to say is when you’re on the campus of the college you’re meant to go to, you just know. You aren’t just picking a school, you’re picking a home. You’ll be spending the next four years there anyways so you better find a campus you love.

There was another school that I visited that had the best program in the state for my major. While it may seem like that’s the obvious choice, I couldn’t see myself walking around that campus. To be completely honest, the thought of it scared me considering it was smack in the middle of the city. That’s just my personal preference though. I realized that the reputation of the school doesn’t matter as much as where you’re comfortable in. Would you rather be in a top ranked school and be miserable and stressed all the time? Or would you rather be in a lesser ranked school with people that understand you and a campus that you adore?

I’m blessed to be able to attend such an amazing school where everyone you meet is extremely welcoming and super nice. Even though I visited other campuses, none of them compared to the feeling Longwood gave me. I’m sure all my fellow college students can agree on that feeling.

For all you high schoolers reading this, good luck during your application process and making your final decision. Just remember that it’s your decision and where you go makes all the difference.