Fears+and+Questions

One of the most-often asked questions when starting the college application process: How many schools did you apply to and why? is also where our staff started when tackling the breakdown of the college process. Here's are the norm answers coming from our students at MHS:

1; because it is cheaper, and I am sure of what I want to do. 2; because they are the best medical schools in Alabama. 2; because that is all that interest me. 3; because I knew where I wanted to go, but applied to more just to be on the safe side. 3; because that’s all I wanted to fill out. 4; because I want a variety. 4; because I don’t know what I want to do yet.

Students were also interviewed about the college that they wished to attend and why. Every student the staff asked had an immediate reason of why they chose their college. Below are the responses the staff received:

Q. What is one college that interests you and why?

A. Mississippi College, because I was offered a football scholarship. - Cody Dunnaway A. University of Alabama, because they have a good business school. - Connor Howell A. Auburn University, because they have a good engineering school. - Dallas Garst A. Southern Union State Community College, because I was offered a baseball scholarship. - Michael Nichols A. Hiwassee College, because I was offered a basketball scholarship. - Josiah Vacheresse A. Jacksonville State University, so I can have more than 2 girlfriends. - Brandon Head A. Huntingdon College, because I was offered a football scholarship. - Jhamal Turner A. University of Alabama, because I'm from Alabama. - Tiffany Phillips A. UAB, because they have a new engineer program. - Jimmy Ho A. Florida State University, because it's close to the beach and has a good program. - Rachal Ezell

STUDENTS HAVE FEARS TOO, NOT JUST PARENTS The college decision-making process is scary for some students. Students at MHS reported they were worried about maintaining a regular sleep pattern and Kayla Mizzell, junior, said "not making the right decision would be a problem because there are so many decisions to choose from, it's very easy to mess up." They also worry about the financial side of things: Junior Darrius Thomas said "finances would be his full concern because it's hard to get a good loan to pay for college." Junior Mert Ray said, "A major concern would be deciding what you want to go to college for--that's difficult all in its own."

Scholarships were also a concern. From the staff's research, we found that everybody interviewed was worried about college in some way.

The Devil's Advocate staff interviewed the student population on the most important factor in choosing a college. Blake Spiker, junior, said the most important factor was to find a college with a great soccer program. Matt Newton said that he wants to find a good college that's close to home. When Junior Alan Nickelson was asked what his most important factor was, he simply responded, “It has to be perfect for me.” Desirae Letcher wants many of the things other students do. She wants it to be close to home, have the best classes for her major, and a nice campus.

So, what are the least important factors in deciding which college to attend? who has the best parties which friends go there which college has coed dorms how far away the college is the size of the school how good the college's football team is