Tough Decisions

Daily I find myself barraged my a flurry of mail from colleges; I'm receiving scholarship offers and acceptance into a few; but really, I have no idea where to go. I'm so confused as to where to choose!

1. Wesleyan College (Macon, Ga)

Originally my first choice, I've been accepted and received a scholarship. By the time I raise my SAT score even higher (this Saturday when I re-take it hopefully), I will get more scholarship money, and then be in the running for the big, full-time scholarships. I still have lots of chances to get bigger scholarships from here, plus pell grant and Phi Theta Kappa scholarships will cover virtually all tuition costs, even if I don't - and housing and books if I (hopefully) do. I'm really impressed all-around by Wesleyan so far. Wesleyan being out of state really appeals to me, as I've always wanted the chance to live somewhere new, even if it's only a state away from Florida. It's private, so it does not have out-of-state fees. I know Macon, plus I really like how small and how attentive everyone is to you here. It's a beautiful school, and I love small, private colleges far better than big universities, even with the extra expenses. With scholarships those expenses don't figure in as much, afterall. Plus there is a massive resident cat living in the library. However, it is all women, and you are required to live on-campus. These might be potential downsides for me - maybe I wouldn't like the lack an all-women's school? Maybe I'd want to get an apartment? Housing is a lot of $$$. Still deciding whether or not I should attend, but it's still my first choice. I'm definitely waiting to see what they offer if I can get some bigger scholarships as well - plus what Grad Schools I can go to for Physical Therapy, and a potential deal with Pruitt that would pay for all college costs in exchange for employment.

2. Jacksonville University (Jacksonville, Florida)

Jax University was never really high on my list of choices for me, but it's really been growing on me and is definitely my number two choice - possibly number one. I recently learned that I have been accepted and have received a $13,000 per year scholarship from them - though I'd still have to come up with $13,000 more - it's $13000 per-semester, being private. However, after pell grant and Bright Futures, it would be virtually free, housing not included. It's a very nice school, I've heard, plus it's got a good pre-physical therapy program for Biology Majors. I'm going to go visit and see - maybe I'll go here!

3. UCF (University of Central Florida) (Orlando, Fl)

I go to Valencia Community College for full-time dual enrollment in Orlando, Fl. Basically, I'm practically going to UCF - Valencia features "direct-connect" to UCF in which Valencia students can take classes at both Valencia and UCF at the same time, and Valencia students are guaranteed admission into UCF. Naturally, I can't rule UCF out. I've only just applied there, but the low tuition costs plus the location (right here) are certainly really convenient. I do a lot of very helpfully profitable entertainment and party work in Orlando, so I wouldn't have to give that up and/or have to rebuild business and clientèle as I would have to in a new place. Phi Theta Kappa scholarships, Bright futures, and Pell Grant will also make UCF virtually free, even with housing - not to mention UCF is the only one of the schools I've mentioned so far that offers the Physical Therapy Doctorate I want, so I wouldn't have to go elsewhere for grad school. Downsides are, UCF is one of the largest schools in the country, so I would lose the benefit of one-on-one teacher experience and small student-to-professor ratios. With the difficulty of my upcoming classes and my major in general, finding a school with helpful professor's and small classes could really make a big difference in my success - so that's definitely something o think about when considering UCF.

4. Mercer University (Macon, Ga)

Mercer is also in Macon. This would be a fantastic school to go to, plus it has one of the best Physical Therapy graduate programs in the country... however, my chances of attending here are about, well, nada. About $30,000 a year for tuition alone means either they give some really great scholarships, or the closest I'll get to Mercer is, well, on this list!

5. University of Florida (Gainesville, Fl)

Go Gators! 'Nuff said. I'd love to go to UF - have ever since I was little. However, UF is a very competitive school to get into. It would be nice, however, not to mention it too features a very nice Physical Therapy Graduate Program (My intended Doctorate after getting a Biology B.S.) I'm going to see how this one turns out, and if  don't end up going here, I won't be supper-bummed or anything.

6. Meredith College (Raleigh, NC)

Meredith is a very out-there possibility, nor have I finished applying - another all women's school, they offer good financial aid, I here, and so far the communication I've had with them seems to be really nice. Everyone is willing to help and seems genuinely interested in you as a person. They seem very personal, also like Wesleyan. It being in NC is really appealing to me - I would love to go to college in NC! One of my favorite states. But NC is awfully far away from any of my family, loved ones, and friends - so I'm not really heavily considering going to Meredith. It's just a thought.

7. Brevard College (Brevard, NC)

Another really lovely college, and in NC - though I hardly know anything about Brevard and, like Meredith, I'm not really heavily considering going there. Yet to send in transcripts - might or might not, it depends on how things with other colleges work out as well.

As for Grad Schools for Physical Therapy, I have a lot of research to do, but so far I've found UCF, UF, UNF, Mercer, and a few Georgia Colleges offer Physical Therapy Doctorates. This is going to be a tough choice, not to mention I have no clue how I'll pay for it since federal aid is not offered in grad school, but I'll save it for later in the future, as I'm worrying about getting my Bachelor's at the moment.

Well, those are my choices for colleges right now! I'm excited to pick and go to a college, whichever that might be. Even if I technically already attend college, this is really a new and fascinating adventure for me. I can't wait to see how it turns out, and can't wait to graduate and be able to get a good job and see all my hard work pay off. I don't know if things will turn out like I expect them to, but suppose that's all part of the process. We'll see how to future turns out. For now though, while I know I'll end up choosing one and hopefully the right college, I'm finding it to be such a hard choice for me. If you have any advice or opinions, I would love to hear them. Please let me know, because it might really help. Thanks for reading, everyone!