From Flames to Angles
The size of a mouse, I run through the gates of college. Towering over me as if they were built for giants the steel creaked as I forced them open. Dodging fire and swords I sprint for the cover of my class only to be screeched at by banshees. Going to college may be frightening but eventually those towering gates will beckoning’s of hope and inspiration and those screeching banshees will become the professors that will change your life for the better. College fuels the thirst for newfangled information involving varies subjects that will be integrated with previous knoledge. When starting my search for colleges that fitted my needs I was worrisome that my options would become limited due to numerous limits I put on potential schools. A few categories I used as guidelines to direct my path of choosing my school were amount of on campus dorms including the conditions of the dorms but also the book selection and amount in the on campus library. Though not major points for my college selections these influenced small decisions. My research allowed me to narrow my options of all the colleges possible down to a choice few. Although the amounts of colleges were in high amounts Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Georgia Institute of Technology (GATech), and Yale University were my top colleges on my list of possibilities, but other colleges included California Polytechnic State University and University of California Berkley. Over the time I did my research I found that Yale fit within almost all of the boundaries I set for colleges. It was the most impressive in the categories that I considered important such as it not only has mildly nice weather while having an architecturally lovely campus. Yale holds an emotional tie to me but also has the broad range of engineering subjects that I am inclined to take in my college years.
Though weather may become enjoyable yet problematic at times, the school and campus of MIT are well organized to be as efficient as possible. In-spite of MIT being located in Boston, Massachusetts with colder weather and higher precipitation the weather is rather enjoyable. Boston's coldest month is January at 22.1°F on average while in July the average temperature rises to 82.2°F. July with 3.06 inches of precipitation is the driest month on average, and with 3.98 inches November is the wettest month. (Climate for Boston) The weather is not only for comfort but also for living conditions and for emotional reasons. The radical changes in temperature and precipitation reminds me of living back in Alabama. Because of similar weather conditions to Alabama this would allow me to become more comfortable and settle in quickly. The mildly nice weather provides for a content living area where I may integrate at a quicker pace which may also increase my study habits because it reduces stress caused by a new environment. MIT is known widely for being a school that provides well educated members of society for the world. MIT ranked first in the majors of chemical engineering, civil and structural engineering and electrical and electronic engineering. Also the institute ranked second in biological sciences and mathematics. (MIT Engineering Rankings) MIT is ranked in at least the top five nationally in almost all of the undergraduate programs that I am looking into, possibly going into. A few of these programs are bioengineering, mechanical engineering, and chemistry. In order for future jobs, the better ranked the college is in the field that I eventually will chose to work in then that will increase the probability that I will get a successful and well-paying career. A major part of MIT being on my list is because of its close proximity to Arlington National Cemetery which an emotional plus. Location, opportunities, and weather are all what MIT had the distinguished it from other colleges.
Georgia Institute of Technology was included among the ranks of my narrowed down list because of the emotional standings of the location and its architecture differs from other campuses I have looked into. In addition to other characteristics, GATech has always focused its efforts on preparing students to use their innovative skills and strong work ethic to solve real-world problems and improve the lives of people around the globe. (History and Traditions) Personally this statement gives me hope that the institute prioritizes their students ahead of other situations. That the board of directors of GATech can openly say their goals shows that they have confidence in their abilities to prepare their students for working proactively for their communities. Because of GATech’s confidence in their teaching ability I am also confident. Therefore I may focus on important studies rather than worry about my future career. Since I would be able to focus on immediate studies my grades and scoring will be higher and this will help in search for an occupation. In contrast to many Institutes of the 1900’s, GATech opened its doors to many types of minorities and women which I admired of the school. Furthermore GATech is ranked for being the largest producer of engineering degrees awarded to women and underrepresented minority students (Stats and Ranking). The amount of degrees an Institute awards to minorities says more about the emotional security that the college provides. If a college is an emotionally safe environment then I would feel more at ease when attending college at GATech. Emotionally, a college must be comforting yet challenging or else I may end up becoming stressed and or panicked. If the environment is friendly I may prosper with a greater determination in my studies. Located in the southern region, GATech provides a familiarity that other ranking schools did not while also having ethical values that I approve of in an institute.
Yale University, though not highly ranked among engineering programs, holds a strong emotive tie to my family. Therefore it was clearly always going to being one of my chosen schools. In the past my mother had hoped I would go to the highest ranked school I could get into, therefore Yale was chosen to honor her memory. According to the 2013 College Rankings List - U.S. News University Directory, Yale was ranked third following behind Harvard and Princeton tied for first on the list (2012 College Rankings). Yale ranking third national means that even though it may not be rated top for engineering undergraduate degrees but on a national list it is highly graded. Being admitted may be a difficult situation but if accepted it will allow me to be accredited with a degree from one of the greatly most rated colleges nationally. Previous generations in my family did not go to prestigious colleges if they even went to college. If I were to be admitted it would be a major accomplishment not only for me but my family. Although the weather conditions may be less than perfect for some Yale’s climate in New Haven, Connecticut is almost ideal. New Haven, CT temperature varies from being in the 70 degrees during the summer time, while falling into the 20’s during winter time. New Haven annually reaches 52.73 inches of rainfall on average. Rainfall is quite important for weather in matter of my opinion. It is peaceful and Yale’s abundance of rainfall of about 4.50 inches seems an idyllic amount (New Haven Weather). The sound of rain reminds me of being back in my hometown of Niceville, Florida. It will make me feel comfortable while away from all friends, family, and familiar surroundings. Studying will be increased because of the tranquility of my attitude and therefore my scoring will increase as well. Yale is a prestigious school that coming from a family who my mother was the only college graduate seemed to be only a dream at a time is now becoming possible.
Looming flames turn to bright clouds as angels sour through the skies. Graduation caps flutter about the once terror filled skies before soon falling back to earth, to be reunited with their owners. Once lifted, the fears of college allow us to see the benefits of graduating. Many students are setting their sights on colleges and fearing all the stress and complications that life in college may provide. I may not be utterly frightened by the thought of school but I do fear the rigorous journey to college. MIT, GATech, and Yale all have emotional values that influenced me. All three are highly ranked and also all have locations or weather that is enjoyable. Through all the research and days of thought I decided that Yale University is the college I plan to shoot for in the future. Located in Connecticut it is close enough to the District of Colombia while also being well ranked and having pleasant climate. Overall my research has opened my eyes so that in the future I will be prepared hopefully for college years. Students may think they fear college but really it’s the work needed to prepare towards college and in the end I think this research cause my fears to be lightened greatly.
Works Cited
"Climate for Boston, Massachusetts." rssWeather.com. HAMweather, n.d. Web. 28 Oct 2012.
"2013 College Rankings List - U.S. News University Directory." U.S. News University Directory. U.S. News University Connection, n.d. Web. 30 Oct 2012.
"History & Traditions." Georgia Tech. Georgia Institute of Technology, n.d. Web. 30 Oct 2012.
"New Haven, CT Weather." IDcide - Local Information Data Server. IDcide, n.d. Web. 30 Oct 2012.
"MIT tops engineering and technology world rankings." MIT News Office. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 6 2011. Web. 30 Oct 2012.
"Stats & Rankings." Georgia Tech College of Engineering. Georgia Institute of Technology, n.d. Web. 30 Oct 2012.
"Climate for Boston, Massachusetts." rssWeather.com. HAMweather, n.d. Web. 28 Oct 2012.
"2013 College Rankings List - U.S. News University Directory." U.S. News University Directory. U.S. News University Connection, n.d. Web. 30 Oct 2012.
"History & Traditions." Georgia Tech. Georgia Institute of Technology, n.d. Web. 30 Oct 2012.
"New Haven, CT Weather." IDcide - Local Information Data Server. IDcide, n.d. Web. 30 Oct 2012.
"MIT tops engineering and technology world rankings." MIT News Office. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 6 2011. Web. 30 Oct 2012.
"Stats & Rankings." Georgia Tech College of Engineering. Georgia Institute of Technology, n.d. Web. 30 Oct 2012.