May 1st marks the national college decision day, the date by which all college-bound high school seniors must choose the college or university they will be attending in the fall. Due to accessible transportation, increased advertising, and much more, today’s students have the ability to choose from a broader range of colleges and universities.

“There have been students that will go to the Carolinas and Virginia,” Southern Lehigh High School guidance counselor, Mr. Carl Crouse said. “South Carolina is picking up too.”

In recent years colleges have been increasing their propaganda in order to increase the enrollment of out-of-state students and other minority groups. Despite their efforts, SLHS guidance counselors feel that a majority of students will remain in Pennsylvania.

“If you are eligible for FIA funds, they do not follow you if you leave the state,” Mr. Crouse said. Financial aid, in-state discounts, travel costs, and many other reasons give in-state colleges an edge over out-of-state and private schools. “I think that Pennsylvania is the most popular location for colleges [among Southern Lehigh students].”

However, some students do choose to take the plunge and attend far away universities. “I have a few students at UC Berkley in San Jose, California,” Mr. Crouse said. “I have one at Baylor in Texas and another student in North Dakota.”

It takes courage to move out of your comfort zone, but for some students the benefits outweigh the risks.

SLHS senior Luke Feldman, future University of Florida student, had one clear reason for looking at out-of-state schools: “My biggest incentive for going to a far away college is because my parents can’t drive down and punish me when I do something bad.”

All seniors have their own reasons for choosing their post-secondary schools. The decision can be stressful, grueling, and exhausting, but it seems most students find that they ended up where they belong.