The BIG College Tour

My oldest daughter has a big decision to make. She needs to decide where she will spend the next four years. College is too big of a decision to leave it up to teenagers. We all know their frontal lobe is not quite fully developed yet and many can’t even decide on a prom dress (well my daughter any way). A university or a small liberal arts school? Close to home, or as far away as possible? For our family at least, I was hoping she would choose a school a drivable distance from home so she would have a shot at making it home on long weekends to visit her little sisters who are going to have a tough time with the transition.

So off we went to visit 3 of her top choices as an admitted student without the little ones in tow. I was dreading leaving them for a long few days and unsure how my littlest one would fare without me. I knew she would be well cared for by my mom and cousin, but also knew she would miss me. She’s a bit of a mama’s girl.

I spent so much time worrying about leaving the girls behind that I hadn’t taken any time to consider this might be a great opportunity to pretend I’m an actual grown up with smudge-free clothes toting a bag only big enough to stash my phone and wallet. There was no worrying that I might have forgotten the tissues/wipes/extra underwear/crayons/snacks/snacks/snacks. Instead, I had the opportunity to spend time with my oldest daughter, who for the last 5 years has had to share me with her sisters who suck up most of my time.

We toured Union College in Schenectedy, NY once more, and Syracuse University and Ithaca College for the first time. She had been accepted to all 3 schools (Honors program at Syracuse and Ithaca) and needed to make a final decision. All 3 offered her something different but she can be a pretty indecisive kid.

It was pretty clear the minute we pulled into the parking lot of Ithaca it was a no-go. Just the fact that there was a parking lot surrounding the school made it lose its luster. Who wants to feel like they are going to a commuter school?

Union was the front-runner for some time, but it is small. In a small town, with small buildings, and after our 2^nd visit, we knew our way around campus with our eyes closed.

Then there was big bad Syracuse. Everything about it screamed COLLEGE!!! The minute I stepped onto campus I was trying to find a way to enroll. Although my daughter did not indicate one way or the other which school she would choose until the very last hour deposits were due, I could feel her leaning toward the Orange. She won’t admit it, but I honestly think the simple fact SU has a Dunkin Donuts on campus was the deciding factor. We are from Boston after all.

Featured Photo: Shutterstock

Erica Gatlin

Coffee-addicted marketing gal. Crunchy Mom to two littles and one teen. Connoisseur of all things celebrity & chocolate. Culinary scientist. Closet punk-rocker.