No two colleges are exactly alike--regardless of their proximity in location, mission, demographics, academic programs, or available opportunities. For this reason, the college search process is undoubtedly difficult and important.

Currently, college-bound high school seniors are in the midst of hearing back from institutions and making these crucial decisions. At the same time, college freshmen are reflecting on their first quarter or semester experiences and thinking back on the decisions they made at the end of their senior year.

Since it is impossible for any one person to visit and get a taste of every single school, I've reached out to my friends and former classmates at colleges across the United States and Canada and asked them to share their insight and experiences*. Interviews are arranged alphabetically by college name. For high school seniors, this article provides a first-hand account from freshmen at twelve distinct West Coast colleges that could lend assistance when it comes to comparing and contrasting various options. For college students, these interviews give us a peek into the lives of students at other schools, allowing us to further understand the similarities and differences between our experiences. And finally, younger high school students can learn more about these institutions--some more well-known than others--through the lens of each interviewee and start thinking about the future.

A final note, specifically for high school seniors: The college application and decision process is understandably stressful and uncertain. So please be aware that these interviews are not meant to add to your nerves, but to lessen them. There are thousands of fantastic institutions across the country and even more internationally, so focus on choosing a school that sparks your interest and makes you happy. As is evident here, it is truly possible to have an enjoyable and rewarding college experience nearly anywhere; it all depends on what is the best fit for you.

*Please note that interviewees were given the option to answer all or some of the interview questions, which is why some have more responses than others.

Jay Gubbi - Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA)

“My favorite part about going to school at Cal Poly is the people and places that I am surrounded by."

Why he chose Cal Poly SLO: "I chose to go to Cal Poly because it was in a really great area (can't really beat California, am I right?) and it has one of the strongest business schools in the state with a great ROI.”

What he likes most about Cal Poly SLO: “My favorite part about going to school at Cal Poly is the people and places that I am surrounded by. I think that some schools are super exclusive when it comes to their focus (people throw shade at PolySci majors at Purdue for instance), but Poly provides a great balance and diversity of students, and as a first-year, I don't see that superiority complex of the engineers or architecture majors, which Cal Poly is well-known for.”

Major: “I am a Business major planning to concentrate in Information Systems and minor in Statistics.”

Extracurricular activities: "So far, I am a member of the Information Systems Association (ISA), Music Production Union, and Ski Club."

Favorite class he's taken so far: "My favorite class that I have taken is STAT 252 with Olga.”

His dorm/housing situation at Cal Poly SLO: "I live in Sierra Madre. The towers have a reputation for being very social and I can attest to that--the only thing is that it is hard to sleep before 2 in the morning some nights.”

The food and dining at Cal Poly SLO: "In my opinion, the food/dining situation on campus has improved dramatically within the past couple years, but the dining off-campus downtown is something that I look forward to frequenting more often next year when I am off of my meal plan."

The surrounding area at Cal Poly SLO: "SLO is really awesome because it is literally a forty minute drive to everything. We are pretty close to Santa Barbara, a drive to Pismo or Avila Beach, and Morro Bay only take twenty minutes to drive to on average, and if you are more into the outdoorsy scene, there is Madonna, Bishop Peak, and Serenity Swing, all potential hiking trips that I have had a blast doing during my time here so far.”

His most memorable college experience so far: "One of the most memorable experiences at SLO has been biking to Avila down the Bob Jones trail with a couple of friends in my dorm.”

What he misses most from home/life before college: "I miss sleep, good food and not having to wear shower sandals in the dorms.”

His advice for graduating high school seniors: "Understand independence. I think that college was a big transition for me, mainly because I drew a lot of support from my family and friends in high school, and there were always people to shoot me friendly reminders and make sure that I [didn't] fall off track. But it also meant that I was looked at with a lot of scrutiny. Now that I am in college, that isn't really there to the same degree, and I am not looked at that closely anymore. It gives me more freedom. This can be both used and abused, so finding a balance is something that I would advise seniors to figure out earlier rather than later."

Alvin Choi - Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA)

"SCU was a clear choice."

Why he chose SCU: "SCU was a clear choice. Being located in a very innovative area, as well as having a very strong business program, SCU suits my interests in all aspects.”

What he likes most about SCU: “The beauty of the campus is my favorite part at SCU. Santa Clara University is one of the most stunning and vibrant campuses I’ve ever seen.”

Major: "Either Finance or Accounting."

Extracurricular activities: “I’m rushing for a business fraternity, and applying to become an Orientation Leader.”

Favorite class he's taken so far: "My favorite class is a 2-unit called Emerging Leaders Program, where we learn the fundamentals of leadership in the modern day environment and do a bunch of fun activities.”

The food and dining at SCU: "Dining could be better, but it certainly isn’t the worst thing that I’ve eaten. The only thing is that there aren’t many options, as there is only one dining hall."

The social scene at SCU: "The social scene is lit. That is all."

His most memorable college experience so far: "One of my most memorable experiences is orientation. It was a blast!”

What he misses most from home/life before college: "The simplicity of high school class registration is something I cherish.”

His advice for graduating high school seniors: "Don’t be afraid to not end up in your number one school. Accept your circumstances and make the most of it, it could be very rewarding!"

Natalie Lillie - Scripps College (Claremont, CA)

"I’m thankful to be in a place where human connection is valued just as much as academic intensity."

Why she chose Scripps: "I choose to go to Scripps College because I identify with their mission ‘to educate women to develop their intellects and talents through active participation in a community of scholars, so that as graduates they may contribute to society through public and private lives of leadership, service, integrity, and creativity.’ I also love being a part of the Claremont Consortium."

What she likes most about Scripps: “The people!! I’ve met the best girls here who have experienced the most incredible things, and it’s exciting to exchange personal stories.”

Major: "Either neuroscience or legal studies or some combination of the two."

Extracurricular activities: "I’ve become involved with Scripps Student Investment Fund, and I recently joined a group focused on bringing sustainable practices to the [5 colleges]."

Favorite class she's taken so far: "Chemistry with Professor Mary Hatcher-Skeers. I worked really hard in her class because she inspired me to not be scared to pursue the sciences and to have confidence in my abilities."

Her dorm/housing situation at Scripps: "I have a single dorm room because I’m recovering from a concussion I sustained a year ago. It’s GORGEOUS, just big enough for me and with French doors opening out to a courtyard."

The food and dining at Scripps: "The food is fantastic, Scripps is constantly ranked at the top of college dining hall lists. And if you don’t like it, no biggie, there’s six other halls that you have access to as a Scripps student consortium wide."

The social scene at Scripps: "The social scene is whatever you want it to be. Scripps itself has a lot of substance free events, which are awesome. My favorite one was a Harry Potter-themed party with tons of magical activities and a showing of Harry Potter 1 in the background. However, at the other schools there’s parties going on every weekend that you can go to if you’re into that. The great thing is that there is something for everyone, no question."

What she misses most from home/life before college: "I miss my family and little brothers a lot, it was hard being away from them and not being physically there if they need anything. I also miss being surrounded by people I grew up with, who knew me as a child, but that’s also the beauty of college... that you get to create a new community for yourself and meet people you’ll keep in touch with forever.”

Her advice for graduating high school seniors: "It’s hard being told what you have to do your whole life and feeling like you have this path you have to follow. As you prepare to go out on your own, please trust yourself. Explore new things, take classes outside your major, go to that first club meeting, believe in yourself enough to give yourself the opportunity to fail and trust that you’ll pick yourself up and continue forward.”

Gilberto Dominguez - Sonoma State University (Rohnert Park, CA)

"Not a lot of people picture this setting as an ideal place for a campus, but there is so much to do and a lot of beautiful scenery if you know the right places.”

Why he chose Sonoma State: "It was inexpensive and a good distance from home, not too close.”

What he likes most about Sonoma State: “Honestly, I'd say it's the location. Not a lot of people picture this setting as an ideal place for a campus, but there is so much to do and a lot of beautiful scenery if you know the right places.”

Major: "Anthropology."

Extracurricular activities: "I haven't joined up with any clubs other than the Anthropology club, but I often help coordinate events and spread word for community living programs."

Favorite class he's taken so far: "Philosophy 101. It challenged the way I saw the world and made me look at things bigger than my own life. All of the people in that class were active learners and participants, making every class an interesting discussion.”

His dorm/housing situation at Sonoma State: "It is very unique. Most people live in small houses called suites, where four to nine people live in a house with varied single and double arrangements. All the villages have a different feel, and it's nice visiting friends in other villages.”

The food and dining at Sonoma State: "It is super varied a lot of the time. The cafeteria always has something good to eat, and options to make your own waffles, pancakes, sundaes, salads, and sandwiches if you aren't feeling the other stuff."

The surrounding area at Sonoma State: "Beautiful. With a car, there's just so much you can do. Beaches, forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, towns, just about everything.”

His most memorable college experience so far: "I got chased by someone with a bow and foam arrow set. Not something that happens a lot.”

What he misses most from home/life before college: "Having all of my old friends live near me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss them a lot from time to time.”

Where he sees himself in four years: "Graduated!"

His advice for graduating high school seniors: "Don't stress too much about things. As long as you try, things generally sort themselves out better than you expect."

Daniela Gonzalez (Me) - Stanford University (Stanford, CA)

My roommates, our RA, and a few other members of Roble Staff on our very first Game Day. We beat Arizona 55-17!

Why I chose Stanford: I grew up fifteen minutes away from Stanford, and it’s been my “dream school” for as long as I can remember. Of course, four-year-old me chose Stanford because I’d heard it was “good” and right by my house. Seventeen-year-old me chose Stanford for the right reasons. While Stanford was the “best” school that I got into, the decision carried much more than that. As someone who is deeply interested in both the STEM fields and humanities, I was looking for a school that supported and facilitated the integration of the two (you’ll hear more about Stanford’s CS+X program later). I was also drawn to Stanford’s socially and academically supportive, collaborative (but not too competitive), and open-minded environment. As a CS major, I liked the proximity to Silicon Valley for tech-related events, jobs, and internships, and, on a related note, I loved that it was close to home (you can read more about this here). Lastly, Stanford also happened to be the most affordable option for my family due to their robust financial aid program.

What I like most about Stanford: My favorite thing about Stanford is the energy. Stanford has this undeniably exciting, positive, entrepreneurial energy in the air, which is contagious from the moment you step onto campus. You can sense it in the bright blue California sky, the endless row of palm trees delineating Palm Drive, and the eyes and facial expressions of students biking rapidly from class to activity to campus event. Stanford definitely isn’t an easy place nor a perfect place, but it’s generally a happy place and a place full of potential. Sure, we Stanford students have our fair share of bad days and bad grades, but, at the end of the day, it’s ridiculously exciting to be here. There’s so much opportunity and so much to take advantage of. I love Stanford because, despite the fact that I have two midterms at the beginning of this week that I’m far from ready for, being here truly makes me feel as though I can achieve anything.

Major: I am pursuing a joint-major in Computer Science (with an emphasis in Human-Computer Interaction) and English (with an emphasis in Creative Writing) through Stanford's CS+X program, which allows you to combine CS with the humanities. If by some miracle I have more time, I may try to minor in Symbolic Systems, Spanish, or Music.

Extracurricular activities: I’m a member of the Society of Latino Engineers and the Communications Director for DiversityBase, a student organization dedicated to supporting people from underrepresented backgrounds in Computer Science with a focus on understanding the intersectionality of those backgrounds. I’m a hostess at an off-campus restaurant called Calafia Cafe and Market A Go Go, and the Editor-in-Chief of The Odyssey at Stanford (hence this article). In the future, I hope to get more involved with music and theater and possibly return to volunteering at the StreetCode Academy in East Palo Alto.

Favorite class I've taken so far: Last quarter, I took a class called “Can Good People Like Bad Music? and Other Questions.” It was an Introductory Seminar about the philosophy of taste--in other words, is there really such a thing as “good” music and “bad” music, or is it all subjective? What is the criteria for “good” music? (“What is music? Does music even exist? Is life real? Am I real?”). The class involved sharing, comparing, and defending our music tastes with those of others, partaking in heated debates about the country genre and Kanye West, eating dinner at our professor's house, and going on karaoke field trips. I got to write philosophical papers about why I dislike Ellie Goulding, why critics disagree on the quality of Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown following the brilliance of American Idiot, and why Little Mix fans love Little Mix. In the end, we didn’t really come to any clear-cut conclusions. Does good music really exist? Nobody knows. But it was thought-provoking, frustrating, and a hell of a lot of fun.

Current Courses: This quarter, I'm taking Programming Abstractions, Mathematical Foundations of Computing, the Rhetorics of Trauma, and How to Learn Math. The first two are requirements for the CS core, the Rhetorics of Trauma is my freshman year English class, and How to Learn Math is an Introductory Seminar about mathematics education.

My dorm/housing situation at Stanford: I live in Roble, which is a four-class dorm located on West Campus. The location is extremely convenient in that it's situated less than a five-minute bike ride from Main Quad, right across from the engineering buildings, and next to the student union and new gym. The freshman dorm rooms in Roble are quads, meaning that there are two bedroom doubles joined by a common room with desks. I am extremely fortunate to have three quad-mates with whom I get along really well and a friendly, supportive, hard-working RA. I also want to add that Stanford puts immense thought and care into the freshman dorm experience. Residential Staff is fantastic and we have tons of opportunities to bond as a dorm, such as through San Francisco scavenger hunts and trips to Lake Tahoe, Disneyland, and Yosemite.

The food and dining at Stanford: In the grand scheme of college food, Stanford’s is pretty good. However, I think my food standards are sort of screwed up due to growing up in a culinary family with a pastry chef for a mother in the San Francisco Bay Area, so I’m not the biggest fan. The ingredients are always organic and of very high-quality, but the taste is often boring and meals get repetitive. It also depends on which dining hall you go to, because the one right by my dorm tends to have less variety than some of the others across campus. I will say that you can always count on some soups, the salad bar, and plenty of vegetarian options. Other perks include FloMo’s Indian food on Sunday evenings, Ricker’s “Death by Chocolate” on Thursdays, Wilbur’s brunch, Stern’s burrito bar, and Lag’s Late Night. Some dining halls (including mine) also have soft-serve machines. In addition to dining halls, there are plenty of on-campus restaurants, including Coupa Cafe (a high-end, venezuelan, Palo Alto coffee shop), Starbucks, Panda Express, Subway, Jamba Juice, and Fraiche, among others. Long story short: You won’t go hungry, but you’ll probably miss home-cooked meals.

The social scene at Stanford: There’s something for everyone. If you like to party, there are frat parties on the weekends and Wine and Cheese or EBF on Wednesdays. There are often also smaller parties in dorm rooms, in which people usually just hang out and play drinking games like Beer Pong and Rage Cage. If you’d rather avoid alcohol, Stanford’s Cardinal Nights provides plenty of awesome alcohol-free programming, such as movie screenings, amusement park field trips, and more. There’s always something going on on campus (in fact, there’s usually too much going on and you have to make tough choices), so it definitely isn’t difficult to find something fun to do.

The surrounding area at Stanford: While Palo Alto isn’t the best college town (everything is super expensive), Stanford has easy access to loads of amazing places. San Francisco and San Jose are each about an hour away, meaning that there are plenty of concert and sports venues within short distance. Other destinations you can get to by car include Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Wine Country, and even Southern California (if you’re willing to drive eight hours). And if you’re into tech, Stanford is in the midst of Silicon Valley, with Apple and Google on one side and Facebook, Twitter, and Dropbox (to name a few) on the other.

My most memorable college experience so far: In the first few weeks of school, my dorm rolled out to San Francisco for a Scavenger Hunt. After it was over, my quad-mates and I chose to stay in the city for a few more hours and have some “quad bonding.” We walked all the way from the Caltrain station to Ghirardelli Square (and found out this was a much longer walk than we'd initially expected) and stopped for dinner in Chinatown along the way. When we finally got to Ghirardelli, we shared some incredible ice cream sundaes and strolled on the beach. We were exhausted from the walk, but it was totally worth it.

What I miss most from home/life before college: While I really miss petting my dog, hanging out with family, and eating home-cooked meals on a daily basis, I’m still lucky enough to do those things significantly more often than my peers who went to college across the country. So I’ll touch on some other things. I miss going on long drives while singing along to whatever’s blasting from Spotify, which has become a rarity since I’m not allowed to have a car on campus as a freshman. I miss the activities I participated in throughout high school--such as Oracle (the student newspaper) and Madrigals (advanced choir)--and the close-knit communities surrounding them. I miss my favorite former teachers and mentors, and my job as an assistant swim coach. Most of all, I miss my friends who have gone to live far away. I love Stanford with all of my heart, but it’s impossible not to be occasionally nostalgic for the way things were.

Where I see myself in four years: Probably still at Stanford, since I want to co-term in Computer Science (which basically means staying an extra year to get your Master’s). If not, I hope to be working in the tech industry, traveling the world, writing a novel, and playing lots of music.

My advice for graduating high school seniors: Relish the last few months of high school. Even if you haven’t had the best four years, appreciate them in the sense that they’re something you’ll never quite be able to experience again. Secondly, make a list of people you want to stay in touch with once you leave for college and make a genuine effort to check in with them every once in awhile. Thirdly, remember that your college experience is in your hands. A friend once told me that it’s much less about the school itself and much more about what you make of it. Seek out what sparks your interest, and reach out to new and different people. And most importantly, know that college--and life in general--is not about being, but about becoming. We are constantly told to “be ourselves,” but it’s absolutely expected and understandable to have little to no idea who you “really are.” So instead of struggling to be yourself, enjoy the beauty, freedom, and adventure of becoming yourself.

Carly Miller - University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)

"Wherever you end up, you will find your community of people.”

Why she chose UC Berkeley: "I chose to come to UC Berkeley because it was the best financial option for my family and I knew I would be challenged academically. I also was attracted to the atmosphere of passionate, engaged students."

What she likes most about UC Berkeley: “Though it's hard to choose just one [aspect], I have to say the classes are incredible. For example, last semester I took Astronomy from Alex Filippenko who was on the team that discovered that the universe was expanding. In addition to being an overall really cool person, he was an amazing lecturer. And I found this wasn't an anomaly with professors either.”

Major: "So far I am intended Political Science, but I might change it to Economics and a minor in History."

Extracurricular activities: "I am on a couple of IM teams for frisbee and soccer, and am part of a mentorship program that coaches debate in high schools in the East Bay."

Favorite class she's taken so far: "My favorite class last semester had to be Astronomy.”

Current courses: "This semester I am taking Intro to Comparative Politics, Rhetoric, Data Science, and Islamophobia. The Comparative Politics class fulfills a requirement for the intended Political Science major, and both Rhetoric and Islamophobia fulfill requirements for the University and for my college, The College of Letters and Science. There are so many classes to choose from and with what the college calls, "breadth" requirements, you get to explore areas of study that you normally wouldn't otherwise, so there is still the importance of receiving a liberal arts education, which I like."

Her dorm/housing situation at UC Berkeley: "I live in a dorm on the south side of campus, which is about a 20 minute walk to the main campus. I live in a triple, on a coed floor with coed bathrooms."

The social scene at UC Berkeley: "From my perspective, the social scene at Berkeley is as diverse as the interests of its student body. I have spent Friday nights attending improv comedy shows, open mic nights, and fraternity parties. There are a multitude of professional fraternities and clubs on campus that act like fraternities. For me personally, my floor spends a lot of time together and some of my closest friends live on my floor."

Her most memorable college experience so far: "My most memorable experience so far has been during reading week, I went up the Campanile, which is Berkeley's tall tower, with a friend. I am very afraid of heights but wanted to challenge myself because I heard the view was great. I was planning to take a picture, and head straight down. I ended up staying for two hours just talking to my friend and taking in beautiful the view of the bay. In some ways this memory represents my other experiences in college. At times you will be placed out of your comfort zone, but it will lead you to meet so many amazing people and discover more about yourself."

What she misses most from home/life before college: "I miss having dinners with my family as a normalcy. Yes, there were many nights when we were rushing from this activity to another and didn't have time to all eat together, but I miss those occasional nights when we were all together. There's something incredibly comforting of having a dinner in your own home with those that you love."

Her advice for graduating high school seniors: "My advice to graduating seniors would be that there are a multitude of challenges that you will face in college that are the same no matter what college you chose to attend. There are also a boatload of amazing opportunities that await you, no matter which college you attend. So I guess the big takeaway is to remember that it is really okay wherever you end up, you will find your community of people."

Olivia Pollart - University of California, Davis (Davis, CA)

"Everyone here is so friendly and kind towards one another; it’s a really nice community to be a part of.”

Why she chose UC Davis: "I chose to come to Davis because when I toured here I fell in love with the community and the campus. People are extremely friendly and supportive of one another. Additionally, because Davis is such a large school, there are lots of opportunities for everyone regardless of your interests."

What she likes most about UC Davis: “My favorite part about going to school at Davis would have to be the people! Everyone here is so friendly and kind towards one another; it’s a really nice community to be a part of.”

Major: "I’m studying Nutrition Science with a Biology emphasis and am interested in minoring in Math."

Extracurricular activities: "I’m involved with two Pre-Med clubs on campus, American Medical Student Association and American Medical Women’s Association. In addition to that, I am a part of the UC Davis club swim team and am a member of my residence hall’s IM ultimate frisbee team."

Favorite class she's taken so far: "My favorite class at Davis was a math class that I took last quarter. My professor was very good at engaging students even when the material was dry and made the overall class very enjoyable."

Current courses: "Right now, I’m taking Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, and a freshmen seminar called the Science of Well-Being. Most of these classes are required for my major. It’s a bit of a heavy workload but I’m enjoying it so far."

Her dorm/housing situation at UC Davis: "At Davis there are three main housing areas for freshmen. Two of the housing areas are centrally located on campus and one is a short bike ride away from campus. I live in one of the housing areas that is centrally located on campus in a hall with about 200 people. Not everyone enjoys dorm life, but I absolutely love it!"

The surrounding area at UC Davis: "The Davis community and the University are extremely interconnected. Downtown Davis is a typical college town and really caters to the students. It is not a very big town, but it still has a lot to offer. Outside of Davis the surrounding area is pretty rural but we’re relatively close to Sacramento and San Francisco."

Her most memorable college experience so far: "My favorite memory from Davis so far was when our Ultimate Frisbee team won the IM championships! Everyone of our team was brand new to Frisbee so we were just playing to have a good time. The night of our game a bunch of other students from our hall came out to cheer on our team. It was really exciting to see so many people supporting us!"

What she misses most from home/life before college: "Obviously there are certain aspects of home that I miss, but I am also so happy at school. I'd have to say most of all I miss seeing my family every day and home cooked meals."

Her advice for graduating high school seniors: "My advice for graduating high school seniors is to take advantage of all opportunities. There are so many ways to be involved in college and I can’t stress enough how important it is to find something you love and become involved in it."

Emma Frerichs - University of California, Los Angeles (Lost Angeles, CA)

"I knew before I submitted my applications that UCLA was the place for me...The culture was right, the people were right, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky."

Why she chose UCLA: "I had three criteria when choosing my school. I wanted a large school, with all opportunities and excitement that it had to offer. I love the idea of getting lost in the crowd. As they say, you can make a big school small, but you can't make a small school big. This has already become evident. I also knew I wanted to attend school on the West coast. This wasn't about being close to home. This was a weather issue. I love the sun, I love summer. Access to the beach is a plus. I wasn't going to move to anywhere where it snows, rains, or gets cold on a regular basis. I need the warmth. My final requirement was that I attend public school. I have a philosophy that the government has a duty to fund education. Public education is core to the American system and a critical aspect of democracy. I wanted to show my support for public universities by attending one, and California public schools are the best in the nation. This narrowed the search pretty considerably, and the eventual decision was not difficult to make. I knew before I submitted my applications that UCLA was the place for me. On my first tour of campus, I just knew. The culture was right, the people were right, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky."

What she likes most about UCLA: "I'm beyond the reach of home, so I'm forced to depend on myself. I have to be my own advocate. I've learned that I'm capable, and that I'm fine on my own. I can handle what life throws at me, and I feel confident in handling my affairs. Granted, dorm life doesn't yet require me to be fully self-reliant, but I know I can handle that when it comes."

Major: "I'm double majoring in International Development and English."

Extracurricular activities: "Right now, I'm exploring my interests and dabbling in several different areas. I've joined the UNICEF club, the Comparative Literature Undergraduate Association, and the Classical Society. I'm also involved in a Christian fellowship on campus, and have made some good friends there."

Favorite class she's taken so far:"My first quarter, I took a Classics class, which was a mixture of history and literature. We started off by analyzing Homer's "Odyssey" and Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" concurrently, and I quickly fell in love with the class. Over ten weeks we covered everything from Herodotus' "Histories" to H. G. Well's "The Time Machine." This class forced me to come to terms with my love for reading and writing (Friends who live with me know to avoid me when I read Burke. I will drag them into the depths with me) and prompted me to add English as a second major."

The food and dining at UCLA: "It's amazing. The variety is incredible. For dinner, I had a bison slider with tomato jam and arugula and some apple, escarole & feta flatbread. I eat better at school than I do at home (Sorry, Mom)."

The surrounding area at UCLA: "UCLA is nestled in the middle of Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and Bel-Air, so it's fun to wander the neighborhood. We're also close to Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and downtown LA. There's so much at the tip of my fingertips. On Monday, I took the bus to Santa Monica after class, walked the beach, then explored the town. The campus town itself is also great; Westwood is charming and tailored to college kids."

Her most memorable college experience so far: "The Fox Theater in Westwood is the site of regular movie premieres, and I attended the premiere for Concussion back in November. My friends and I got there early to get the best view of the stars, and it was wild to have them come and greet us. Everybody was screaming - it was a bit of a hive mind. You couldn't keep your cool. When Will Smith came over, he held my hand! Everybody was reaching out to him, and he took *my* hand! I felt truly #blessed."

What she misses most from home/life before college: "I really miss being able to shower without wearing flip flops.”

Where she sees herself in four years:"I'll be married to a wealthy man, sipping red wine while reading philosophy on the balcony of our Madrid apartment. We own 6 cats. But seriously, to quote the joker: 'Do I really look like a guy with a plan?'"

Her advice for graduating high school seniors: "Roll with the punches."

Zheng Tian - University of California, San Diego (San Diego, CA)

"I really enjoy the large international Chinese community here, I feel closer to my cultural roots."

Why he chose UCSD: "I chose UCSD because of the research being done in the biology fields here."

What he likes most about UCSD: "I really like the chill atmosphere around UCSD, there's no stigma or pressure to go out and party over the weekends. I also really enjoy the large international Chinese community here, I feel closer to my cultural roots."

Major: "I'm not certain what exact field I will be majoring in, but I know it'll be something Biology or Chemistry-related."

Extracurricular activities: "I'm currently involved in the First Year Council of UCSD, and the Triathlon Club here. I also run with the club running team as well."

Favorite class he's taken so far: "My favorite class so far is Freshman Honors Seminar taught by the ERC provost. The Freshman Honors Seminar is a three-part course (fall, winter, spring) that you can opt out of whenever you want. It's also a very informal course where the provost doesn't have a set plan besides wanting us to think critically and introduce us to different fields. Last quarter, the Provost had informal seminars where we talked about various issues around the world, but circling around the theme of globalization. This quarter, the provost invited different UCSD/Salk Institute professors and researches to give us presentations of what they do. Not sure what spring quarter will be like."

Current courses: "Differential Equations (need for major), Politics: Power and Justice (it looked interesting), Making of the Modern World (General Ed requirement), Intro to Biology Lab (need for major), and Freshman Honors Seminar (it's interesting)."

His dorm/housing situation at UCSD: "I live in a triple, with a large suite common room and a pretty large bathroom/shower area."

The food and dining at UCSD: "Mediocrity at its best."

The social scene at UCSD: "It's definitely not as lively as other big schools, there aren't crazy parties every other night. Some would call it socially dead, but I personally don't mind it."

The surrounding area at UCSD: "Rich suburban area, near the beach. Need a car to get to decent restaurants or ethnic market places."

What he misses most from home/high school: "I miss the people I hang out with, and being in a school sports team."

Where he sees himself in four years: " Graduate school, hopefully."

His advice for graduating high school seniors: "Enjoy the last year of high school. Now is no time for regrets."

Amanda Cobb - University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA)

"I have met some very incredible and caring people here, and I know that many of them will be my friends for life.”

Why she chose Puget Sound: "I chose Puget Sound because it fit my desire for a small school in a great location. Once I had heard about it, I visited and instantly fell in love with the campus, people, and overall atmosphere of the school."

What she likes most about Puget Sound: “The close-knit community has to be my favorite part. I love being able to run into friends all over campus, and get to know my professors. In addition, I also have felt unconditional acceptance from everyone I have met. College is a really great place to learn about yourself, and I have felt very comfortable doing so here.”

Major: "I am undecided on my major, but I know that I want to minor in Education. I am currently thinking about either a Psych or Politics and Government major."

Extracurricular activities: "This semester, I am participating in choir, women’s hula, which has a performance at the end of the year luau, and have joined the sorority Pi Beta Phi, which has many community service opportunities working with local kids in Tacoma. I also just began working at the pizza and smoothie place on campus!"

Favorite class she's taken so far: "Both of the Freshman Seminars I have taken have been very interesting! The school offers a very wide variety of classes to fulfill this requirement, ranging from classes such as Rock and Roll After the Beatles to Constitutional Controversies. I took a class called Theatre and Comedy last semester, and this semester I am taking Examining the ‘Third World’ From Bandung to NGO’s. I like the seminar classes because they allow me to learn in depth about a topic that I never would explored."

Current courses: “Currently, I am taking Comparative Politics, Psychology 101, a seminar on the ‘Third World’ and French. I am taking Psych and Comparative Politics because I want to get a feel for both of the departments, and French because there is a requirement and there are very interesting study abroad opportunities for french speakers.”

Her dorm/housing situation at Puget Sound: "Currently, I am living in one of the freshman dorms in a double."

The food and dining at Puget Sound: "I actually really like the food! I was very concerned about eating cafeteria food for a whole year, but it has far surpassed my expectations. There are always healthy options which I really like, plus a super good sandwich station."

The surrounding area at Puget Sound: "Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, WA. It is a decently sized city, with a very large park, a great waterfront, good restaurants, and art museums. It is also about an hour from Seattle, and 2-3 from Portland and Vancouver, which allows for very fun Fall/Spring Break trips!"

Her most memorable college experience so far: "I wouldn’t say that there is one specific memory, but I have really loved getting to know the people on my floor over the course of the year. We watch the Bachelor together every week, get dinner together all of the time, and I know that I could knock on any door on the 3rd floor and that those people would be there for me. Specifically, getting to know my roommate has been incredible, because she is one of the most caring people I have ever met.”

What she misses most from home/life before college: "I really miss being surrounded by people that have known me for a long period of time. There is something completely irreplaceable about friends/family who have known you for as long as remember and know you as well and you do. That being said, I have met some very incredible and caring people here, and I know that many of them will be my friends for life.”

Where she sees herself in four years:"I hope to have a job so I can make money to spend some of my 20’s traveling the world. I have also considered applying to Teach for America!"

Her advice for graduating high school seniors: "Adjusting to school can be hard. For most people, it is there first time being away from home, and that is scary! I think a lot of people gloss over this fact, and it can be difficult to think that everyone else is having no problem whatsoever adjusting. Give yourself time. Surrounding yourself with uplifting and caring people and getting involved in groups at school will make this transition worlds easier, because the people you meet can become your family away from home. In addition to your great new friends, your friends and family from home are always still there for you!”

Matt Vera - University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

"My favorite thing about USC is the level of energy that is seen in every aspect of life."

Why he chose USC: "I chose to go to USC because I knew it was the best fit for me. The school provides a countless number of opportunities, has a great engineering program, and is in a great city.”

What he likes most about USC: “My favorite thing about USC is the level of energy that is seen in every aspect of life. Game days, class projects, sports practices, or whatever activities you choose to do are all met with an impressive level of passion.”

Major: "Mechanical Engineering."

Extracurricular activities: "I am on the competitive triathlon team, the USC Rocket Propulsion Lab, and am starting to get involved in Engineering Without Borders."

Favorite class he's taken so far: "My favorite class so far was my Intro to Aerospace Engineering course. It was hard, but an interesting glance into the world of engineering. For the final, we spent many hours in a lab building large gliders from scratch. We then flew them and wrote a technical paper where we applied all of the equations and concepts that we learned throughout the semester to show why they flew the distance they did.”

Current courses: "Right now I am in Physics, Calculus 3, Intro to MatLab, a study of Islam and the West, and an Art and Design course. So far it has been a great balance of hard math and science, plus a development of creative skills and analysis of history and literature.”

His dorm/housing situation at USC: "The dorms are good, although there is no air conditioning which makes it hard to deal with the LA summers (which happen to go all the way through September and even into October).”

The food and dining at USC: "Luckily for us we have three cafeterias on campus. At the worst they all have food that is edible, but at least one of the three is good every day!"

The social scene at USC: "In terms of partying there is quite a bit of Greek life on campus, but it’s still easy to go out and have fun without being involved. Outside of partying there are many social groups through clubs, sports, or people that you live with, so it is very easy to make friends. Even though there are 43,000 students here, you see many many people you know on your way to class every day."

The surrounding area at USC: "USC is notorious for being in a bad area, but it is actually far, far better than it is portrayed. Many safety measures are set up to keep everyone safe, and the area around campus is very nice. Beyond that, being a few miles from downtown LA provides great opportunities, we have amazing beaches very close to us, and great mountains for hiking less than an hour away.”

His most memorable college experience so far: "One of my most memorable experiences was going with the Rocket Propulsion Laboratory to the Mojave Desert and testing out two solid rocket motors that I helped make. We slept in the sand in the desert then spent the next day working in temperatures that reached around 110 degrees. Despite this, seeing the motors fire was an amazing experience and has helped motivate me to keep up my work in engineering.”

What he misses most from home/life before college: "I mostly miss my dog -- there are unfortunately very few dogs on campus and most students don’t own them, which is quite a tragedy.”

Where he sees himself in four years: "I’ll hopefully be working in the engineering field, keeping up my work in sports, and maybe living in LA!"

His advice for graduating high school seniors: "No matter where you go to college, try to find things that are engaging to you and get involved as early as possible. Whether it’s sports, volunteering in your community, or an engineering design team, being involved is rewarding and you’ll make tons of friends who are similar to you."

Tess Seltzer - University of Washington (Seattle, WA)

"Really think about how you would fit in with the type of people that go there, the location, and the opportunities that the school offers because what matters most is how you feel there. Then, just enjoy the ride because college is seriously the best thing ever."

Why she chose UW: I chose UW for several reasons. I wanted to experience a new setting, specifically out of California but not so far away that I wouldn't be able to come home for breaks. I also wanted a big state school with lots of spirit and sports because I didn't feel like my high school experience was satisfying in terms of school pride and good sports teams. Finally, UW has the most gorgeous buildings and the setting is a perfect mix of nature and urban life; stunning nature hikes and downtown Seattle are both as close as ten minutes from campus.

What she likes most about UW: "My favorite part of UW is the feeling that the opportunities are endless. There are always new people to meet, new clubs to join, new research to conduct, and so much more that I don't even know about yet. I get so excited knowing there's so much I can do."

Major: "I plan on majoring in Medical Anthropology & Global Health and minoring in Entrepreneurship and Human Rights."

Extracurricular activities: "I participate in a lot of events because of the sorority I'm in. We have weekly meetings, sisterhoods, social exchanges with other sororities and fraternities, and lots of different philanthropy events. I also participate in a lot of events that are put on by Hillel. I'm in Challah for Justice club, Bagel club, Advertising club, and Huskies Against Human Trafficking club."

Favorite class she's taken so far: "My favorite class, by far, has been Hebrew, which I am planning on taking for the rest of this year and next year too. I have also been taking really fun exercise classes at our gym which has been really cool."

Current Courses: "This quarter I'm taking Hebrew 102, Global Health 101, and an English class that is linked to my global health class. I'm taking Hebrew, even though it technically doesn't count toward anything, because I absolutely love it, and I'm taking the other two for my major."

Her dorm/housing situation at UW: "I live in a mansion with 100 of my sorority sisters. It's so fun, it seriously feels like a dream. We have multiple TV rooms, lots of couches, a library, and chefs that cook for us. There's lots of space to find privacy and also to socialize."

The food and dining at UW:"I haven't had much experience with UW's dining halls. I don't have a meal plan because I get meals at my sorority. There are a ton of really cute cafes though, which I often go to to study."

The social scene at UW: "The social scene that I'm usually a part of is that of the greek system. There are always a ton of events going on from competitions for philanthropy to pizza and taco feeds to bunny cuddling exchanges."

The surrounding area at UW: "There are so many places to explore near UW. Downtown Seattle and Pike Place are just a 15 minute bus ride away. Then there are a bunch of Seattle neighborhoods like Ballard, Fremont, and Capitol Hill, all of which are super unique and close by. There's a street we call the Ave right off campus that has all sorts of shops and restaurants, as well as U-village which is more upscale. There are also more nature-y places like Gasworks Park, Golden Gardens, and the zoo. There is literally an endless amount of things to do."

Her most memorable college experience so far: "My most memorable experiences have been the memories made with my sorority sisters. I know it sounds cheesy, but when you live with 100 girls you get really close and the bonds you make are incredible. I'm thankful everyday that I joined AGD and continuously get the opportunity to get closer with these amazing people.”

What she misses most from home/life before college: "I miss my mom, my dog, and all my favorite restaurants back home.”

Where she sees herself in four years:"I've gotten really into advertising and graphic design lately, so my dream job as of now would be to work for an advertising firm in Seattle or San Francisco, hopefully focusing on global or public health issues."

Her advice for graduating high school seniors: "My advice to high school seniors would be to not stress about the reputation of your school. Really think about how you would fit in with the type of people that go there, the location, and the opportunities that the school offers because what matters most is how you feel there. Then, just enjoy the ride because college is seriously the best thing ever."

This is the first of three articles in a series about first quarter and semester college experiences across North America. Stay tuned for interviews with students on the East Coast, the in-between states, and Canada.