One second, a student is a freshman walking the halls of Homestead for the first time, and the next,they are a senior deciding which college to go to. Committing to college is not easy since there are so many factors that contribute to it.
As seniors finalize their college commitments, many decisions mean more than just responding to an acceptance letter. While seniors make their decisions for their commitment based on a variety of factors, everyone’s decisions reflect careful consideration of what is best for themselves.
Connor Pangallo, senior, is an athlete who plays baseball and football. Connor will be committing to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and he has earned the ability to continue his baseball career. In addition to baseball, a major factor in his decision was knowing that he would be attending a school that offers academic support for student-athletes.
“The biggest factor that helped me feel sure about my choice was all the benefits I get playing sports there and I get a lot of academic help, and life seems pretty fun,” Pangallo said.
Parker Hunt, a senior who is committed to Arizona State University, has found himself drawn to ASU due to strong family connections along with the support of his parents.
“ASU was the school I always thought I was going to go to……my mom and my dad, along with my family that lives in Arizona led me to this commitment because I got the best scholarship from it,” Hunt said.
Brady Stammer, a senior and athlete who is committed to UW-Lacrosse, wants to continue his journey in football. He has ties to the coaches and program at UW-L, which have influenced his decision to continue his career as a student-athlete there.
“One of the linebackers on the football team I knew when I was six years old and he got me to get in contact with one of the football coaches, which led me to go out to lunch with him,” Stammer said.
The reasons that determine many seniors’ college commitment decisions often reveal their unique personal needs: these seniors have made their decisions based on a variety of reasons, ranging from scholarships and academic opportunities to familiarity and personal connection.
