Believe it or not, Merrimack College was not my first choice. In the heat of finishing the Common Application, I applied here because my dad had suggested it.

When judgment day came and all of the answers rolled in, Merrimack College was at the bottom of my list. Why? Simply because of a few reasons:

1. I’ve never heard of the college until I applied
2. I knew little about the college
3. I never toured it

Like any other high school senior, I had a handful of colleges to choose from and decision day was arriving quickly. I did the math and looked at the pros and cons of each college.

When the postcard of “Accepted Students Day” arrived in the mail, my dad explained that it would be a good idea if we went. I insisted multiple times that I didn’t need to go because I didn’t want to go there. In “giving it a chance”, I registered for the Accepted Students Day and went on with my daily routine. That day came faster than I thought. Again, I told my dad we shouldn’t go because it would be a waste of day. He was confident however, that I would like Merrimack.

As soon as I arrived, the college was unlike any college I had been to before. At every entrance there were people cheering and welcoming you to the campus. Everywhere I looked there were students with spirit and with open arms. The tour that followed was packed full of information. The campus was filled with excitement; more than any other college I had been to.

My dad brought me back to the car and told me that we should put the deposit down. I’m not going to lie; I was in a state of shock. Everything flooded my mind. The idea that I had to pick a college was here, and I wasn’t sure how to handle it. In comparing Merrimack to the other colleges, this one made sense, but I was still taken aback at the decision I had to make. Looking at Merrimack, it felt like it would feel the most like a home and the most welcoming…and just like that I put my deposit down.

The welcoming crew was not just for Accepted Students Day, it was for every event including orientation and move in day. I got the idea and the feeling that everyone who goes to Merrimack, is proud to be a Warrior. I loved the feeling of being welcomed. At Merrimack, you’re not just a number, you are a part of a community.

Now it is October and I’m almost three months into my journey here at Merrimack. I look back to my senior year of high school and wonder why I didn’t dig deeper into each college, especially Merrimack. I laugh at the fact that Merrimack was not my first choice. I know now that Merrimack is my home. Though the school is small, it is exciting. The size is perfect because teachers and staff can be personal. The faculty here want to help you succeed in every way possible.

I’m grateful I chose Merrimack to be my home for the next four years. I truly cannot picture myself anywhere else. I cannot think of where I would be if I had not toured here. My advice to anyone looking at colleges or on their own journey to make their college decision is to never overlook any college. Though you may have never heard of it, or are skeptical, it may turn out to be the college of your dreams. I know now, that I’m proud to be a Warrior!