Applying for colleges is one of the most stressful experiences for anyone. But people forget that after you apply to the colleges you have to decide which one you will actually attend. For some, they have a dream college that they wish to attend, and the decision phase is a breeze, but for others, it is every bit as stressful as the application process.

I was an early applicant to every school I applied to. I was eager to get that part over with. Everyone said it was the worst part, so I thought once it was over I was in the clear, but I never considered the fact that I was going to attend one of the colleges I applied to. Thankfully, Fordham University checked all of my specific boxes.

1. "From small beginnings come great things..."

I have always wanted to attend a small school. Not so small that I feel as though I am back in high school and know everyone in my graduating class but small enough that I wouldn't get lost in the mass of students like at a state school. Fordham is perfect for that. There are students that will study different subjects that I will never come in contact with, but I still feel part of a close-knit community that cares about me as an individual.

2. "Quality is the best business plan..."

I wanted to attend a school that was known for its academic prowess, but I didn't want the attitude that typically accompanied it. Ivy league schools are undoubtedly known for their high-quality education, though the atmosphere at many ivy league schools is that of someone who thinks they are better than you. The feeling that you are in a constant unspoken battle of who is better than who, and I didn't want to fight that battle. Fordham is known for releasing great students and hard workers, but they do not forfeit an accepting atmosphere that lets everyone find their feet on their own terrain. The students at Fordham are not in competition with their peers, they engage and support their peers.

3. "These streets will make you feel brand new. Big lights will inspire you..."

Growing up in suburban Colorado, there was little change, and I saw a very small portion of the world. As much as I love my home, I want to spread my wings and see what else the world has to offer. What better place to go than New York City, where you can get a fragment of almost any culture. I love the idea of having New York City as my extended campus and all the opportunity it can bring. Fordham provides the exhilaration of the city when I want, but also the security of a campus when I want a break from the hustle and bustle of busy streets. When I visited the campus it felt as though I was home even though I was half way across the country.

4. "Succeeding in business is all about making connections."

Choosing a career path is the most daunting requirement going into college. Deciding what you are going to do for the rest of your life based on a certain course of study. Even if you have a great education, and work hard at everything you do, there is no guarantee that you will be employed. I want to give myself the best shot. Fordham has an incredible career center that helps countless students get jobs or internships every year. Not to mention the extensive alumni network produced. Former students that love their school and would like nothing more than to help current students succeed.

There are a myraid of reasons why Fordham is a fantastic university, but these are the specifics that sold me. I have already met a number of wonderful people from Fordham and I haven't even started classes yet. I can only hope for more as I complete the most life changing four years, with the world at my feet and endless possibilities.