When I was applying to college, I had in mind what I thought I wanted for the next four years. I wanted a University with a college feel but with an aspiring career in journalism, I knew I needed to be near a city. I wanted a school with a ton of spirit. I got everything I wanted at Syracuse. I got the college campus I dreamed of but I'm still in a city and I got more school spirit than I could have imagined. The ironic thing is that Syracuse was not even in my radar when I was applying for colleges.

When I was a senior in high school and figuring out where I wanted to go to college, I kept my criteria in mind but also had to look for schools that offered journalism majors. Syracuse met all of my requirements except it was bigger than I had wanted a school to be. For some reason though, I showed little to no interest in the school. I submitted my application in the fall and thought nothing of it. To me, it was just another school to apply to.

When I got the acceptance in February I was excited to be accepted but not what most people imagine. I did not think of it being a big deal. Syracuse was not important in my mind and the acceptance was one I thought I would never accept. When it was time to visit colleges for accepted students days I went to prospective schools and thought about which ones I could see myself at. Once again, Syracuse did not make that list. I could not picture myself there and did not even plan to visit.

However, my mom convinced me just to go and check it out. She told me that the worst that could happen was a wasted a day but I should at least give it a chance. I decided to listen to her. One Monday morning in April I left my house at 4:00 in the morning to make my way up to Syracuse.

I listened to important people at the school tell me all about the incoming class and the amazing things Syracuse had to offer. I was intrigued but still not phased by what they were saying. The campus looked pretty but I was also still in shock by the fact that it was flurrying in April. I was thinking to myself that I could never imagine myself walking through the campus or living there. I thought my mind was made up.

The day continued with us going to Newhouse for me to hear presentations from faculty in the communications school and the broadcast journalism major itself. This is where I started to change my mind. I heard professionals from the industry talk about all the amazing programs the communications school had to offer and my ears continued to perk up. I was in shock. In that hour at Newhouse, the faculty told me everything I wanted to hear. I heard about classes I could take, clubs I could be in and the alumni currently working in the field. I was hooked.

As I drove home that day, I thought about everything they had told me in the meetings. I thought about what the school had to offer to me and I knew I changed my mind. By the time I got home that night I told my mom I had to go to Syracuse. I committed within the week and have never once looked back.

Syracuse is a school that before visiting I had no interest in. I did not even want to visit but once I was there, I was hooked. I became an orange that day and I could not be more thankful. Syracuse is everything I wanted in a college and more. I am unbelievably in love with the school and so grateful I decided to listen to my mom and actually visit. If I hadn't, who knows where I would be or how my life would be different.

To all high school seniors applying to colleges, visit wherever you get accepted. Even if a school is at the bottom of your list, visit it. Trust me. You never know how things will change your perspective. I went from not caring about Syracuse to not being able to imagine going to college anywhere else. Please keep this in mind as you hear back from colleges and please, please consider all of your options. You will not regret it.