College application season is upon us, and the Cranford High School juniors and seniors have begun to seriously consider their options and applications. That raises the question: exactly where is this next generation of Cranford students planning to build their futures?
In an informal survey of CHS students, Penn State, Boston College, and Syracuse emerged as the most popular choices, comprising 6.5% of the total answers each. Other universities reported as possible candidates from multiple CHS students include Union County College, NJIT, Rutgers, Villanova, University of Michigan, Monmouth, University of Delaware, and Virginia Tech, individually ranging from 3.2% to 4.8% of all responses. It is important to note the significant number of respondents, largely juniors, that remain undecided or unsure of their future college at this point in time, a group that makes up around 5% of total answers.
Interestingly, there is drastic variation in the amount of schools a single student intends to send applications. While some students have as many as twelve colleges in mind, others plan to apply to only one. The majority of CHS students also seemingly aim to stay local, with many selecting to attend schools either in-state or in the larger Mid-Atlantic region.
But why are CHS students drawn to certain schools specifically?
One Syracuse prospect names the college’s appealing versatility. The various academic options and wide array of “opportunities for majors and minors” available at Syracuse allows for those still unsure of their major to experiment and make a more informed decision. The college’s locality also draws applicants, with one respondent mentioning its relatively close New York location as a strong pull factor in their decision process. Others mention Syracuse’s strong sense of school spirit and student community as an attractive quality.
Other CHS students tend towards Boston College due to attributes such as its charming campus, favorable teacher to student ratio, and flexibility in major choice. As one prospect simply puts it, “It’s just a nice school.” BC hopefuls also note the blend between the college’s Jesuit religious ideals and rigorous academic dedication as a crucial influence, “Those values are important to me both as a Catholic and a student.”
As November arrives, these college ideas and aspirations will begin to solidify into concrete and life-altering actions. Whether it is a college’s communal atmosphere, rewardingly challenging classes, or proximity to family that draws someone to their choice school, it is clear that CHS students are thoughtfully and meticulously taking the crucial next step in defining their future.
