Why Taking a Chance on Your Dream College is Worth it

I’ve found that students either love or hate the first day of school. Personally, I loved it. It’s about meeting fresh faces and starting a new beginning. Think of this post as my first day. As the new managing editor at Campus Explorer, I’ll be contributing to this blog regularly, so I wanted to begin by saying hello.

In true first day fashion I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself.

First and foremost, like many of you, going to college was always my dream. I craved everything about it, from the used textbooks with past students’ notes in the margins, to the expansive lecture halls and teeny-tiny dorm rooms where I would study with my friends. To me, the iconic details of college life represented a promise of adventure and possibilities for the future.

I believe higher education is all about learning what you want, so you can navigate your way to a career that suits your interests, skills and personality. Now that I’ve been through undergraduate and graduate school, I know it was true for me and it can be for you, too.

I studied English and rhetoric at the University of California, Berkeley and then earned my Master’s degree in journalism from New York University. These degrees led me to a career in digital publishing – a field that’s perfect for people who are passionate about editorial and social media.

However, ending up in a career you love begins with finding the right college campus, which is where Campus Explorer can help you. We are dedicated to becoming your most reliable college search and financial aid resource that is honest, trustworthy and not terribly boring.

Like you, I wasn’t sure how I would find a college, pay for it, and measure up against the thousands of students who were just like me.

I also didn’t fully understand my options or know how to be strategic about finding a school that suited my needs. Sure, what Californian teen doesn’t want to attend a school like Stanford? However, for some students, a school like that doesn’t make sense – it’s expensive!

During my college search, I didn’t have a “dream school” until I visited UC Berkeley as a senior, but as soon as I stepped foot on Cal’s campus, met some students and teachers, and learned about the variety of programs, I felt like I fit in. And since it’s a public university, it would cost half the amount of a school like Stanford.

Unfortunately, Berkeley was statistically “out of my reach.” I didn’t have the SAT scores. The acceptance rate was super competitive. The application deadline was looming. Plus, I had no idea how I’d pay for it.

Throughout high school my guidance counselor gave me simple advice: get good grades, participate in extracurricular activities and score high on the SAT. Yet, as many of you know, SAT scores, extracurricular activities and grades don’t always cut it.
I agonized over this new knowledge; there was a dream school out there that wouldn’t want me. So, I took my UC application to my guidance counselor and asked him what he thought. He didn’t offer any false hope, he just said, “Why not?”

This two-word question changed my life, which is why I want each and every one of you to remember it when you begin to question whether you will find a dream school or not.

You can find a college that fits your budget, education goals, career aspirations and personality.

I want to empower you to discover what you want and how to go after it.

We can show you how to showcase what makes you special as a student, graduate and future employee.

Why? Everyone deserves a college education.

And, everyone deserves the feeling of excitement as you tear open that big acceptance envelope from the school you want to attend most.

So, let me end by saying this: let’s start a new beginning together. It’s your job to tell us what you need and it’s our job to help you find it.