"Where Am I Going to Spend the Next Four Years of My Life?"

As a future college tennis player,
I got the opportunity to go on recruiting visits.
I stayed a night with the team on campus.
And got to see for myself which school best fits.

In September I went up to Vermont to visit Middlebury College,
A small liberal arts school in a small rural city.
What struck me the most was how breath-taking the campus was.
When I woke up the next day, it just seemed like the perfect fit for me.

I knew the coach was very willing to recruit me for his team.
And I wanted to accept his offer right then and there.
But in two weeks I had my official recruiting visit to Columbia University.
I had to wait for that trip, and then I could compare.

My mother has worked across the street from campus for almost twenty years.
So I basically knew what to expect.
She is employed by the University, which makes tuition free.
A huge factor that simply couldn't go unchecked.

I don't think I have ever shed so many tears.
I felt pressured - it was the first major decision I ever needed to make.
I couldn't even consult anyone, only I would know what's best for me.
Within a week, I had to let the coaches know which offer I would take.

No matter how hard I tried,
I was unable to convince myself I wanted to be a Columbia student.
I didn't think an Ivy League school was right for me.
But how could someone turn down an offer that wouldn't make them pay another cent?

In the end, I couldn't let myself choose a school based on money.
I needed to decide on where I would always be happy.
Since both schools are academically renowned, my parents supported either decision I made.
And Middlebury was where I wanted to be.