As college season approaches, students are faced with an important decision: pursue the warm weather and vibrant campus life of the south or the familiar seasons and academics of the Northeast.
For some students, the appeal of southern campuses is immediate. “The campuses of the schools down south are so nice,” said senior Jonas Segur. “And you can’t beat the weather.”
Sophomore Rocco Panecheli agreed, mentioning both sports and athletics as compelling factors.
“At a southern school I feel like I could experience more new things, and the large sports culture down there makes it enticing,” said Panecheli.
Faculty members have noticed the appeal as well. Science teacher Alexis Hahn has noted the strong sense of school spirit found at many southern universities.
“My younger sister attends the University of Alabama and the sports community is unreal,” Hahn said. “Nothing compares to the college sports down south.”
Despite the many appeals of the south, some students feel that a southern school does not offer the same benefits as universities up north, valuing its seasons, location, and academics.
“As of now I plan to stay in either Massachusetts or go up to Maine. I love the different seasons of the Northeast and that will really make any school feel like home,” said junior Reed Warner.
Senior Anthony Viano agreed, adding that school size plays a prominent role in his decision.
“I really want to find a good medium-sized school to go to and play football at,” Viano said. “Down south, it feels as if there aren’t as many options for that medium-to-small sized school.”
Although New England schools offer many academic benefits, students emphasized that campus community and social life often play a bigger role in their decision.
“I really hope to join a sorority when I get to college, the sense of community it brings is what separates it from any other extracurricular,” said senior Katelyn Murray, who hopes to attend Clemson University.
Senior Amani Mbugua shared a similar perspective.
“While I am making a decision primarily based on how good a school’s Engineering program is, community plays a large role in where I will go,” Mbugua said.
Other students echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of campus community in their decisions. Even underclassmen are already thinking about how campus culture will shape their college experience.
“While I don’t have a great idea about what I want to do or where I want to go, the community will definitely impact my decisions,” said freshman Braylon Jones.
As students continue to tour campuses, start applications, and narrow down their choices, one theme remains consistent – finding the right fit matters more than just location.
“At the end of the day, I just want to go somewhere that feels right for me, both in the classroom and on campus,” Viano said.
