Class of 2K19 - But Which School Do I Choose?

By the end of February I received my final acceptance letter. At that point, I had been accepted into the 7 schools I applied to and I could hardly contain my emotions. The first acceptance letter I had received was from my #3 dream school.... two things happened: 1) I almost fell on the floor in shock 2) I started crying. It was at that exact moment that I realized that not only was I going to law school, I was one major step closer to achieving my childhood dream. From then on the acceptance letters kept rolling in.. each one made the decision harder and harder especially once I found out that I got into all of my dream schools. I didn't know how I was going to choose and I honestly wasn't ready for to decide right away. 

I had so many different opportunities laid out in front of me with absolutely no idea which choice was the best one for me. I was overwhelmed with all these options and at one point I felt that having too many choices was much more stressful than having one or two (but I was beyond grateful for having choices). I think a lot of what made the decision so difficult was that I wasn't expecting to get into all the schools I applied to yet alone my top three. I was just hoping that I'd get into at least one of the 7 schools and that would be where I would go rather than having to go back and forth between all of them.

Too many choices, too many opinions?

I was constantly seeking advice from friends, family, co-workers about which one I should choose, which would be the best place to earn my degree and where I'd be happiest at (if I'm going to spend the time and money these next 3 years, I don't want to be miserable... this should be a great experience - even if its going to be a lot of work). There was a divide when it came to opinions on whether I should attend the school close to home or the one states away. Their inputs made the decision a bit harder, but I asked for their opinions and that's what I got. It was almost as if I was looking for someone to just choose for me because I was so stuck on what to do..

It wasn't until I really started to stress out that I received the advice I needed to hear. One of my best friends reminded me that this choice was, and had to be, solely mine. While she would sit and listen to me sway back and forth between my options (what a peach she is), at the end of the day the decision was mine and mine only. It was a choice to be made with only my voice in mind because at the end of the day, it was going to be me putting in the countless hours of work, not my family, not my friends, not my coworkers. I would be studying for exams, writing papers, reading pages upon pages; completing the internships/externships;  becoming involved in student organizations; networking myself; walking across the stage; taking the bar and; creating a life long career in the field of law. The decision had to be my own or I may regret it.

I was definitely taken back for a second because she's one of the people I turn to when big decisions have to be made. Kind of like two pea's in a pod thing where we lay everything out and then she says "H, I think this would be your best bet" and I either follow her advice or do the complete opposite and get the comical "maybeeee that wasn't the best decision" conversation (I prefer these, they make better friendship stories). Overall though, this wasn't going to be one of those moments or talks, and she was right for making it this way. I too easily got caught up in what everyone else thought rather than sitting down to sort out what it was that I wanted out of these next 3 years. 

So what did I do? I took the advice from yet another friend and literately made a pro's and con's list. Both schools had so many pro's but the pro's were different from one another. For one school the pro's focused way more about the academic opportunities like the ability to earn my masters for the same price and concentrating in my two areas of interests. Whereas the pro's for the second dream school, while it still had one of the areas of interest, focused a bit more on the location along with academics. But compared to the first school, it did not offer a masters for the same price and only was known for one of my areas of interest.

 I also noticed that for the school closest to home my con's were silly like "living at home", "not getting out of my hometown" "nervous about not being able to study while living at home" these things were so trivial and selfish compared to the larger picture of where I was gaining a degree from and what that school had to offer me academically. This wasnt undegrad... living at home was not going to mean I missed out on anything. In fact, it will probably be beneficial in the long run. After I sat and looked at the list and put down as much as I could, I had an idea of where my heart was leading me. So in order to make it more concrete, I needed to go for a visit.  so it was off to the admitted students day :)

The Visit.........

I'd been itching to get out of my hometown for the longest time. Part of that is because I enjoy new places. The other part is because I was afraid that if I stayed close to home I wouldn't be the independent, outgoing person that I am.. Silly I know I mean you are who you are but I've definitely notice that sometimes where you are plays a role in how you present yourself.. I guess I was concerned that staying close to home meant pushing pause on my personal growth. I though that if I went away, I would further find myself in this big crazy world along with getting my degree.

I invited my dad to join me at admitted students day. In all honesty, I was a little hesitant on going because part of me really was hoping to get out of our area and go to the school states away. But when I walked in those doors, I knew that this was the place for me. The building was brand new, but it was comfortable, built for the law students who spend all their time there. The professors were warm, welcoming, eager to learn even the slightest about all who attended. I would say that my biggest fear was sitting in on the actual law class that day, I had no idea what to expect. I pictured Elle Woods being cold cut called on and having to leave the class. But the professor, while she did call on students at random, was warm and encouraging even while she continuously hammered at a student for more information. Sitting in on that class removed a lot of my preconceived notions about how dreadful it would be. Talking with other attendees, current students and faculty/staff removed my feelings of unease. I felt comfortable here and I hadn't even enrolled yet. I knew that I could grow here not only as a student but as a person. Even though I hadn't officially made my decision, I felt like this was where I belonged.

My top dream school had so much to offer just 20 minutes from home. I had endless support here and a lot of the stress of finding housing, keeping the fridge stocked and reliable transportation would be taken away because my family would be here to help.. and for me that's a huge thing because classes in general will be stressful enough. But the most important thing that helped make my decision is which school would help me achieve more than just what occurs in the classroom...This school will prepare me for so much beyond academic.. It will prepare me for my future, my dream. I fell in love with the school all over again that day and even as I sit here typing these words my heart goes racing and a childish grin spreads across my face..... just thinking about all that has yet to come excites me.

I am beyond confident. proud. excited. about the decision that I have made. SU Class of 2019, I'm coming for ya!