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On May 27, 2001, I was released from the prison that was high school. Taking off my red cap and gown while the shackles were released, I felt free for the first time in four years. After a quick sigh of relief and a laugh, my best friend's parents approached me and asked the dreaded question: "So where are you going to college?"

This was the one question I feared my entire senior year, and I still wasn't sure if I had made the correct decision. I had applied to eight different colleges in three states, with the farthest being eight hours from my house, but I had no clue where I actually wanted to go. I knew I did not want to attend any colleges in my hometown of Evansville, IN, though. (I wasn't going to be a "townie!") I wanted a small university, fairly close to home, with a great biology department and an opportunity to sing. Above all, I wanted a place where I felt I belonged, and could have an impact.

Despite my initial preferences, I ended up finding everything I wanted and more at a college 20 minutes from my house -- the University of Southern Indiana (USI, Evansville, IN). And so far, my choice has been one of the best decisions I've made, even though it was one of the most stressful. Believe me, I learned a lot about what it takes to find the perfect school.

Become a Shadow
I found that one of the best ways to get a feel for a college is to take a campus tour. While many schools now offer virtual tours, they just aren't the same. Visiting a school allows you to meet with students, walk around, and talk to faculty and admissions counselors. After the tour, you can wander the campus and see everything you wanted to see that the tour didn't show. Just ask for a map, and start walking. By actually visiting a college's campus, you may decide, like I did, that you really don't want to go there, or you may move the college toward the top of your list.

Another great opportunity when visiting a college is "shadowing," which allows you to follow a student majoring in your field of interest. Some colleges offer shadowing programs where you can spend the night in a campus dorm and actually sit in on classes. It's a unique chance to experience Campus life, sample college classes, and ask questions you may not want to ask when your parents are around!

Become a Priority
When it came to choosing my perfect college, I had to remember that I was deciding for myself -- not my friends, and definitely not my parents. Remember, you're the one that has to live there and attend classes, so you have to do what's right for you. The last thing you want is another prison sentence.

I eventually narrowed my list of colleges down to four. I had two dream schools -- one of which I planned to attend if I got accepted and received scholarships -- a more reasonable school, and a backup school just in case the unspeakable happened. After receiving response letters, I sat down and looked at each college that had accepted me. There were three -- one dream school, my reasonable choice, and of course, the backup plan. I reflected upon each of my college campus tours. How did I feel on campus? Did I like it and feel welcome, or hate it and feel out of place? Then I thought about the future. What did I want to do after college? Was I interested in graduate school? How much would that cost? Finally, I looked at the one factor that affects many students' college decision: financial aid. How much money would I receive in scholarships? How much of the financial aid would I have to pay back? Could my family and I afford this college, or was it too expensive?

Become Informed
Remember to be realistic and honest with yourself. Sit down and talk with your parents. Discuss every detail about your college choice, no matter how unimportant it seems. Talk about the campus' appearance, location, and size. Discuss class sizes, majors offered, and whether you'll feel comfortable learning from teaching assistants, if that's a major part of lecture courses. Talk about housing and dining options, and of course, the bathrooms. Don't be afraid to take a walk on the wild side and even be a "townie." I mean, hey, for some of us, it works out pretty well.

Remember I said I wanted to sing in college? Well, in May 2001, I went on a two-week tour of Ireland as a soloist with the USI Chamber Choir. We went to the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, and many other places throughout the country. If I hadn't thought long and hard about my college decision, I may not have chosen the best college for me and may never have gotten as many of the chances I have received. My college choice could have felt like a "four-years-to-life" term, but it turned out to be one of my greatest achievements.

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