It is that time of year! Seniors in high school are graduating and heading off to the rest of their lives. Some are taking gap years, some are going to college out of state, and some are joining the military. The list of possibilities is endless for them.

Most of the time, people end up going to college in their own state for various reasons. If you live in the state of Georgia, you have plenty of options, but the most popular ones are the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. They are both great schools, even if they do have a ridiculous rivalry going on, but are they the best schools for you?

When I was applying for college, I applied to three schools, two of which were in-state. The main reason I applied to those two was because of the HOPE scholarship, a program in the state of Georgia that offers scholarship money for students with good grades. I applied to UGA (but honestly who didn’t?). I applied to an out-of-state school, which was my number one, and I applied to Kennesaw State University. I got into my number one, and I was ecstatic, but due to some money troubles I had to settle for one of the other two. I chose Kennesaw, and it was one of the best decisions of my life.

Kennesaw State is one of those schools that you hear about, but don’t give a second thought because everyone has UGA on the brain and “GO DAWGS” written all over their houses and cars. It is a great school. It’s just as good as UGA, but doesn’t get the credit. The nursing program is extremely competitive and one of the best, if not the best, in the state. The music program is amazing and filled with insanely talented people who will go on to do great things in the world of music. And the education program is out-of-this-world. The school also just merged with Southern Polytechnic State University, simultaneously increasing the number of students enrolled and opening up new majors that Kennesaw did not have the resources to offer before.

There is this certain belief that Kennesaw State is a school where people go to party when they did not make it into the school they wanted to go to. Kennesaw State is seen as second-rate, but it is a great school with dedicated faculty and staff, intensive coursework that challenges and educates students, and (let’s be honest) a pretty darn good dining hall.

I picked this school mostly because my friends were going to be here and it is close to home. I didn’t really expect to like it as much as I do. Because of this decision, I made amazing new friends, got the best job in the world with the best coworkers (who are honestly family at this point), and an education that is readying me for my future in the best way possible.

Kennesaw State University is putting itself on the map, and I am very proud to say that I go to this school. I would not be the person I am right now, and would not have had the opportunities I did, if I hadn’t chosen Kennesaw State. I am very happy with my choice. GO OWLS!