Ever since college became a big deal, I thought I wanted to stay close to home, not leaving my family or what was comfortable for me. Eventually, I decided three to four hours away was a good distance – close enough to where I could come home quickly if needed, but far enough to where I wasn’t home every weekend. 

After more time to think, I decided on the University of Texas at Austin. Its journalism program is highly-ranked and I knew I would get a lot of scholarship opportunities because of academic UIL successes. Also because of those state UIL trips, I learned to love Austin and I envisioned myself on that campus and learning in any one of the lecture halls. UT was it. And I couldn’t wait to apply and potentially go to school there, continuing my education and starting my future. No other school was even on my radar…

… Until I went to a “meet and greet” for the University of Missouri in January. I already knew it had the number-one ranked journalism school and could be a great spot for me. But on the drive to Dallas for the meet and greet, I told myself to hate it. I didn’t want to be 10 hours away; I didn’t want to lose my UIL scholarships; I didn’t want to pay out-of-state tuition; I didn’t want to uproot my whole life. But after listening to all the key details and hearing specifically about the J-School, my head was spinning. On the one hand, I told myself to hate it and I desperately wanted to hate it. On the other, I loved it; I had to be there and there was no other option. Though for the next several months I told myself I was still undecided between the two schools, there was no question. I knew that. Everyone knew that.

I was over-the-moon excited to see I had been accepted to Mizzou and couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. On top of that, I also received automatic in-state tuition because of my GPA. Then once I spent a weekend visiting the campus, everything was even more solidified. I was home and everything fell into place. The campus was the perfect size, everyone was so nice, the weather was perfect AND Mizzou has the closest Chipotle to any college campus. What more could I ask for?

Well, less distance between me and my family and boyfriend; cheaper cost of college; a dog? These thoughts spiraled out of control in my brain and I tried to get excited about the fact that I also got accepted to UT. But it just wasn’t the same. Mizzou is where I want to be. I can’t put my future and happiness on hold for my family or a boy. This time is for me, and while it has been extremely difficult to come to that realization, I know what I have to do. I choose Mizzou.