MCCC counselor Steve Mapes runs the MCCC booth at College Night.
Choosing the right college is difficult, and everyone has different priorities.
To help students make this decision, MCCC held College Night on Oct. 18, an event where local colleges are invited to talk to students.
College Night helps students learn what colleges are out there and what each has to offer.
One of the students at the event, Justin Zboch, was surprised at the amount of alternatives.
“It’s given me a lot of options to look more in-depth at my choices,” Zboch said.
Most at MCCC have heard about the University of Toledo, but how many know about Bowling Green State University or Ferris State University?
It is easy for smaller colleges to go unnoticed when paired next to goliaths like the University of Michigan, but these colleges also have much to offer.
The event was packed with students and their parents, many from the college but also from local high schools.
According to Joyce Haver, one of the counselors who helped organize the event, about 350-375 people attended.
Many students flocked to the booths of the popular giants, but most also stopped and looked at even the smallest colleges.
When it comes to deciding where to go, there are many things to keep in mind like tuition, location, scholarships, prestige, programs, and student population.
Still, what students want out of college seems to change from person to person.
Zboch was primarily concerned about which classes and credits transfer to his college of choice, while other students’ priorities were different.
“Tuition, obviously, is a big one,” student Matt Robertson said.
Still, for some students, the price isn’t as important as the education they’re getting.
“First, programs they have,” student Michael Simms said when listing his priorities in college.
Simms said he is looking for a college that offers his field of work, electrical drafting.
Kenley Jewell, a student from Summerfield High School, is in the same boat. She said her top priority is looking for a college offering a four-year criminal justice program.
Student Government members assisted with the event. While they were helping, they were also learning.
Javed Peracha, Student Government treasurer, was happy with the way the event went.
“I think it was amazing,” Peracha said. “It’s difficult to visit each college.”
Peracha said the event should be held every year, perhaps even each semester.
On the other hand, Student Government member Brian Friley pointed out that if the event was held every semester, the attendance might suffer.
