Katie Ciresi

Please don't ask me where I'm going to college. Please don't ask me what size of university I want or even the location.

Let's just say I'm keeping all my options open. I chose a route unique from many seniors. Rather than applying to a few, I have applied to 10 colleges and been accepted at nine so far. And as if 10 isn't enough, I am constantly asked why I didn't apply to certain others.

Now, here it is Feb. 24, and I honestly have no idea where I want to go.

For me, narrowing down which colleges to apply to was like pulling teeth. Ultimately, I chose my intended major, journalism, and started looking for schools with strong communications programs.

The hardest part of the process was physically filling out the applications. None of them were particularly challenging or long; nothing compared to the amount of time and work I put into my first Y-Press article.

But completing 10 applications was time-consuming. I was skeptical of the "common ap," which can be sent to several universities simultaneously. Being stubborn and a perfectionist, I wanted the control I kept while individualizing all 10 applications.

Now that I'm beyond that hurdle, I am simply waiting until the last school either accepts or rejects me. Unfortunately, that won't be until April, but I am confident knowing that I have looked into every possibility available to me.

My parents marvel at the diversity of my college choices. I have covered all categories: urban, rural, expensive, cheap, public, private, big and small. I'm Catholic and have attended parochial schools all my life, but I didn't limit myself to only Catholic colleges.

When the magic day finally arrives and I have all acceptance letters in front of me, I know that the decision will be tough. Ultimately, I will make a decision based on the scholarship amount each school offers and my campus visits.

My advice to those beginning the process: Apply early and apply often. If, like me, you have no idea where you want to go or the career you want to pursue, then broaden your field. Look for schools that encompass a range of activities and majors. Next, write one strong essay and use it to apply to all schools, making minor adjustments as needed.

No matter what college I end up in next year I will be content -- whether I'm a Marquette Golden Eagle, a Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a Ball State Cardinal, a Dayton Flyer, an Xavier Musketeer, Loyola Rambler, a Western Kentucky Big Red, Purdue Boilermaker, Indiana Hoosier or a St. Mary's Belle.

Katie Ciresi is a senior at Bishop Chatard High School.

Copyright 2008 Y-Press