by 
by Jessica
Think of the Children
Typically people would say to go to college to get an education and develop academically. But what many people don’t realize is that a huge part of that education comes from the peers with whom you’ll interact while you’re there. There’s actually a very important social aspect to the college choice that stretches beyond the idea of choosing your friends wisely. I’m crossing the platonic line and talking about romance and family-building here (hello, Susan Patton).
I guess I was being a little selfish when I made my college decision because I hadn’t given a single thought to my future progeny. You are going to college for yourself, people commonly say, not to let your parents live vicariously through you. True. But what about the other end of the lineage? The generations following me would probably want a good background just as much as the generation behind me wants a good future.
Now, if I had not been hypocritical and had thought of my future children when I chose my school, I would have taken two very important factors into consideration during the decision process:
1) I could potentially meet my future husband here. I have to choose the school that my soul mate will choose.
2) My children are going to be legacies here. I have to choose the school that my children would want to attend.
Of course, no one has to adhere to all of these conditions, but life would sure turn out better if we all did. Statistics show that an admirable percentage of people meet their spouses-to-be in college. After having carefully sifted through and weeded out the large majority of its applicants, Yale and its Ivy League-level counterparts have already done most the search work for us. I mean, narrowing the pool from 40,000 down to 1,300 is certainly a fine-combed puddle. You could still make a less-than-favorable choice, but it’s a hell of a lot harder to go wrong.
So, in your best interest, perhaps it’s not always a good thing to choose a school for you, yourself, and you. I still have yet to find out if I made the right choice.
