Junior, Miguel Hernandez, wrote this story. Thank you to guidance counselor, Ms. Erneste, for the photos and taking time to speak with Miguel.
College trips. You’ve probably heard of them around WSHAD. The trips show you around the college, and give you a feel of how college life might be with that school. The colleges show you around their campus, while giving you information about wherever you are. The main goal for them is to entice you into wanting to apply to their college.
What do these trips look like?
The Juniors of WHSAD went on a couple of trips recently. One of them being to Kean University, and on the same day, NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology), both of which are located in New Jersey. Both colleges had ways in which they were similar and different to each other. Each of them would have student representatives explaining what you can expect living in their respective college, ranging from core classes and majors, to living and eating conditions.
Something that was different between both colleges was what some of the big focuses of each are. NJIT, for example, is a very big research college and emphasizes giving their students the proper tools to succeed beyond college. During the trip, NJIT ambassadors talked about how the school provides academic programs that provide students opportunities to work with real companies in real fields while still in college. On their website, it states “Nearly 2600 different companies have hired NJIT students over the past decade. Employers range from large multinationals to small start-up companies.”
Something that stood out at Kean University is the arts program. Our guide talked about one of the buildings, the Wilkins Theatre, which can hold up to 900 seats. Kean also has other, smaller theatres available such as the Enlow Recital Hall and The Zella J. Fry Theatre. These spaces are used for things such as some of Kean’s own performances, and for some performances from outside people as well, such as Bruce Springsteen, Darlene Love, and Broadway stars such as Patti LuPone.
Why go on these trips?
These trips are an incredible way to get a sense of what you’re looking for. Even if you don’t plan on going to college, you should go on these trips. They could change you’re perspective on college, or even convince you to choose the college route instead. They’re generally a very nice experience to have and go to as you get a chance to spend time outside of school with your friends and enjoy broadening your perspective beyond New York City.
In addition, some of these trips are not to only one, but TWO colleges at a time. Going on multiple trips, or multiple colleges can serve to be useful, as it lets you compare what you see in one, and look at what others may have differently or similarly. No two colleges are ever the same.
What Ms. Erneste has to say:
Ms. Erneste, the guidance counselor, was interviewed to get a deeper understanding of why college trips are very important. When asked, she talked about how exposure to colleges is a top priority. “All students should go on college trips.. I feel like whether you have a 70 average or a 90 average, you should still be exposed to college trips.” She said that college trips can spark interests that one may have not had. College trips can show you things that you may have not known about college. They can serve as motivation: “Maybe that 70 average kid might all of a sudden be more focused and want to get their academics on a better path.”
Q & A with Ms. Erneste:
How do you decide what colleges to go to?
- College trips are rotated every couple of years. They try to go to schools that fit 3 criteria: 1. How close the school is 2. How much of a fit the schools are to WHSAD 3. Whether or not they are a higher reach school.
- College trips are planned to take place around the tristate area. This gives WHSAD enough time to go on these trips and properly visit them within their time limitations.
- Some schools match with WHSAD in the way that they align with some ideas or practices. Many schools visited contain programs such as the architecture, which is a pretty big focus here at WHSAD
- Higher reach schools are more competitive schools. They’re more sought after and recognized, such as Yale University or Lehigh university.
- Who can go on these trips?
- The primary target for college trips are the juniors. The 9th and 10th graders are too early to start thinking about college, while during the 12th grade, it is expected you have an idea of where you would want to go.
- How many of these trips are held?
- There are usually around 3 to 5 college trips done throughout the school year, so make sure you go on these when you have the chance!
Although WHSAD does go on these trips, it’s important to not hold everything about college based on these trips. Doing you’re own research outside of these trips is very important. It’s important to know what you want when going to college. This is a school you’re going to for 4 years. You shouldn’t go for one single thing, rather have it fit most of you’re wants and needs. You wouldn’t want to go to an acting school if you want to pursue, say, law. College is an important step in life, and you want to make sure you do it right.