True Love Can Be Fleeting, Especially When Its Object Is a College

Some people say true love doesn’t exist. my life that has proven to be the .

I’m not talking romantic love — I’m talking about falling in with a university. So , I’ve had a tumultuous relationship my schools, feeling both passionate and apathetic all of them.

I thought I had decided a month . My second visit the University of Wisconsin – Madison had gone beautifully. I a personalized tour of both the on-campus animal facilities and research labs and met three different professors, who impressed me with teaching abilities, research projects, and overall attitude.

I left Wisconsin so excited. Every I thought about wearing bright red Camp Randal, I would swell up pride. To me, balancing intense school pride, a beautiful and expansive campus on Lake Mendota, and a rigorous academic curriculum Madison the perfect college experience.

On of that, both my aunt and dad attended Madison, and spent the best four years of their lives . Convinced I would have a similar experience, they both pushed hard that school. My dad filled my head amusing fraternity stories, like shooting fireworks the top of the armory or sledding on lunch trays Bascom Hill. It sounded like the ultimate college experience.

My dreams shattered a few days ago, when my dad called Office of Financial Aid at Madison. I had recently talked to my college counselor my school options, and he informed that it was very unlikely I would receive a large amount of merit-based money Madison. I returned to class on the of tears, and struggled my biology final, distracted by the thought of having to start my search all .

I texted my dad the news ( during school, for any teachers reading), and he called the school. My worst fears confirmed: the University of Wisconsin – Madison would not awarding any merit-based scholarships for the incoming class of the fall 2012. , the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was only giving scholarships between $600 and $1,000 to its incoming freshmen.

Herein the problem: I received my financial aid packages Iowa State University and the University of Minnesota already. The U of M offered me $10,500 my freshman year, and $9,000 the consecutive years. Iowa State offered $12,000 a year, also making it cheaper Madison.

So now I don’t know to do. If anything, I feel disappointed Madison. My first tour was poorly organized and lackluster, and they not tried to recruit me at . Combined with the of scholarships, I sensed an overall feeling apathy towards incoming students at that school. It is almost as they expect me be satisfied just admittance. I adore Madison, but I have this gnawing fear that I have to try hard to go there. It’s like trying to a square peg into a round hole — something just isn’t clicking.

Then there’s the University of Minnesota. Obviously, this school makes the monetary sense, and it’s where I want to attend vet school. , I was on the campus last Friday night a swim meet, walking with my friend, and I simply commented “I could go here.” She turned, stared me, and said, “That’s it?”

I had spoken my flattest monotone, almost disbelieving that this school was option. I feel no excitement the University of Minnesota, only the logical compulsion that I should attend.

Iowa State is the card. They probably have the strongest animal science program, and have a specific pre-veterinary guidance program. However, pre-vet advisor told me that the University of Minnesota veterinary school does like Iowa graduates. Also, the school is in Ames, not a bad city, but definitely a huge adjustment someone who lives the suburbs of Minneapolis. I know I would be a star at Iowa, but , I feel no passion the school.

I have asked my parents advice, and they really don’t have anything to . They want me be happy, but also know that the cheapest school would allow them to pay more of my veterinary school. My dad told me to “just do feels right,” but what if nothing feels quite right? What if I’m not love yet?


Adapted and abridged from: The New York Times, February 3, 2012.