Game plans, they change, expected to follow a certain direction, but they often end up going to the destination least expected.

Seniors are facing one of the most important decisions in life: college. Many of them have an idea of where they see themselves attending school next year, but others are less sure.

Students are choosing schools based on location, majors offered, size of school, parental alma maters, sports, tuition, and scholarship opportunities. Most seniors apply to an average of seven schools. The average acceptance rates of the colleges are 65% of the total applications.

While the time frame varies, college applications are typically due in January, with acceptance and rejection letters received in March. Students then have until May to come to a final decision of their school choice.

College counselor Kelly Fitzpatrick explained that students have different futures in mind. She continues, “I’d say, going in order from most popular, the STEM field, business, and nursing.”

Fitzpatrick explained that approximately 85-90% of AHC students receive scholarships to colleges.  She added, “We work on applying to best fit schools that match the students. Last year the total amount in scholarships for the senior class was $14,000,000.”

Discussing interest in international universities, Fitzpatrick responded, “Girls from the graduating class of 2018 went to schools in London and Australia. This year, we have girls looking at schools in England, Scotland, Canada, and France.”

Fitzpatrick said she made her college choice based upon school size, but then her plan changed, “My heart was set on the University of Delaware which was slightly due to a large group of students from my school going there and my closest friends. My mom dragged me on a college tour of Loyola in Baltimore and from it, I realized I wanted a smaller school which made me shift my focus for smaller schools. I only applied to four colleges my senior year and ended up at Loyola.”

Senior Sarah Hagos said that in a year she sees herself at Towson University, sitting in a pre-med class and working.

Hagos explained that her views on her college plan have changed. Hagos said, “I saw myself going to the University of Maryland.” However, that changed when she realized that the major she selected impacted the number of years she would have to be attending college. Hagos is currently applying to eight different colleges around the DMV. 

Different seniors have different journeys to their important decision.