Dear high school seniors: I chose UGA and you should, too

Choosing what college to go to was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. Thinking back, I remember feeling increasingly anxious as the May 1st decision deadline quickly approached – the day when I would have to officially decide what school would be my home for the next four years.

I remember feeling incredibly overwhelmed by the decision. This choice would determine my future friends, my future career path, all the college experiences and memories I would one day have…how could I be expected to make such a big decision at such a young age? In the end, of course, I decided Athens, Georgia would be my new home.

It’s important to remember that everyone is looking for something different out of college and every person has a unique college experience. The reasons I chose UGA might not be the same reasons why someone else chose UGA. But I can guarantee that at a place as large and unique as the University of Georgia, everyone can find their place and the college experience they’re looking for.

College really is what you make of it. If you’re as overwhelmed as I was just two short years ago, take a deep breath. I promise that no matter what college you choose, you’re going to have an incredible experience and make lifelong friends.

That being said, this is why I chose UGA and why it might just be the perfect place for you, too.

Athens, GA

Photo credit: Erin Ernst for The Tab UGA

Ranked one of the best college towns, Athens, Georgia is truly a one-of-a-kind place. With a thriving music scene and some of the best food you’ll ever eat, Athens has a distinct, rich culture of its own that works in tandem with that of the university. There is always something exciting going on like festivals and concerts, meaning you’ll never run out of things to do.

One of my favorite things about Athens is that it prides itself on being local and boasts a wide variety of local restaurants and boutiques you cant find anywhere else. An unforgettable place, there is a reason Athens has been dubbed “The Classic City.”

The size of campus

To a lot of people, UGA’s size is incredibly intimidating. With 35,000 students, it’s understandable you may be afraid of getting lost in the crowd, unable to find your place. But in reality, this really isn’t the case at all. As horribly cliché as it sounds, it is so true that you cant make a small school big, but you can make a big school small.

A school of this size has every kind of person, club and opportunity imaginable. With over 600 student clubs and organizations, there really is something for everyone. I always see lots of familiar faces when I walk around campus and I love that I will continue meeting new people here until the day I graduate. Often times, I even forget UGA’s true size…that is, of course, until game day in Sanford Stadium.

Our academics

On top of all of its other wonderful attributes, UGA also has excellent academics. UGA has over 140 majors to choose from, extremely qualified faculty and a multitude of educational resources to take advantage of. Since UGA is a research institution, each of its professors must conduct their own research, meaning UGA faculty are constantly making new discoveries and adding to current knowledge.

In addition, the Hope and Zell Miller scholarships make UGA increasingly competitive, with the current freshman class having the highest academic scores to date. In my experience, UGA students are incredibly driven and always put their grades first, ensuring that I’m never alone in the library when I have to pull the occasional all-nighter.

School spirit

Coming from a brand new high school with lackluster spirit and a football team on a losing streak, it was very important to me that whatever college I chose had lots of school spirit. And UGA certainly hasn’t let me down. Being at UGA, I truly feel like I am part of a community. There are so many students here and we are all so different and unique.

But what we all have in common is a deep love for the school we attend, and it is epitomized on Saturdays in the fall when all you can see for miles is a sea of red and black. There is something truly special about having “Go Dawgs!” yelled at me by a fellow Georgia fan when I wear my UGA shirt in other states.

Being at the University of Georgia makes me feel like I am part of something bigger than myself, and I think that really sets it apart.