Chris Boehm, Director of Admission

I was talking to a football recruit’s father last weekend and he expressed a need to have his son’s college choice finalized in the next few weeks. The student-athlete has several options, but this only seemed to add stress to the process, not pleasure. I think it is human nature to want more or better. However, getting what we wish for doesn’t always make us happy.

Personally I understand the stress of it all. It can certainly be put in a context outside of the college decision process: shopping for a new car, choosing an ice cream flavor at Stone Cold Creamery (or the Marble Slab), picking a movie out at Blockbuster or a book at Borders (decisions not at the same magnitude as a college choice, but the analogy works). Some people just don’t enjoy choosing one thing over another.

What’s the hurry in making a decision? Is it to end the stress? Is it to have closure? Are students rushing to hasty decisions that may be regretted? I hope not. I also hope that it isn’t the colleges and universities that are causing this stress and aggravation. I feel like a must apologize for the process sometimes. It’s no wonder that families are stressed by early decision, early action, early action single choice, regular decision, rolling decision, early decision II, early decision III (yes, some of my peers should be ashamed that they request students to apply early decision in March? What is early about that?). Then there is FAFSA, internal financial aid forms, the CSS Profile. UG!

Ok, so maybe the fault does lie in the process. Even more of a reason to take a step back and evaluate decisions with an open mind. Not just for closure or because of a deadline that has no real significance. Good luck with your decisions, just don’t make them until you are ready to and don’t make them under stress!!!!!!!!

Remember, it is good to have options. I think.