Real Life, by Abby Hazlett
Monday, April 25, 2005

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Let's reframe all this negativity for a moment while I use this space as a brief opportunity to acknowledge the passing of my college career. Oh, what a crazy ride it has been. I will say one thing and that is that I chose the right college. Let me just get in line with all the other people who tell those of you currently applying to college that choosing the right place is critical. How do you do that exactly? I don't think there is a formula for it. Visit each place you're seriously considering, talk to students, try to imagine yourself on the campus, look through the course catalog. Take geography into account. Take financial aid into account. Take all the factors that are important to you, shake them around, and pick the winner by feel. That's my most general advice.

Why is the right place so important? It will make all the difference in your experience. You can get an education anywhere. Pick a place that is going to make you into a new person, that will challenge you on every level so that even at the end, or whenever you are the most stressed out, you can still say with confidence it was the right decision. I can say that. Lewis & Clark was the best choice for me. That said, it is not the best choice for everyone. Below are a few things that I, as a student, think you should consider about L&C before you decide it's the place to be:

(in no particular order)

How big do you want your college to be?

L&C is small. There are less than 2000 students here and by the time you're a junior you'll be shocked to meet someone from your graduating class who you've never seen before. You won't know everyone's name, but you'll know everyone's face and at least one piece of gossip about him, or more likely, her (at least 60% women, though it feels like %70).

What kind of people do you want to go to school with?

The student body at L&C is very particular. While it's a campus of individuals and no description could possibly cover everyone, let me give you a broad picture of what the student body looks like. At least 70% of the students here are hippies or hipsters. There are very few jocks, very few preps, very few men, and very few minorities. The campus as a whole is not religious and is incredibly liberal, knee-jerk liberal even. Here's the thing, if you're a conservative Hispanic male Christian preppy jock, you can still come here, but only do so if you are prepared to stand out, if you want to meet people who are different, and if you're ready to defend your beliefs.

How involved do you want to be in your education?

L&C is small. Your classes will be small, your professors will know your name (and possibly at least one piece of gossip about you). However, the size alone does not guarantee you a brilliant experience. Professors here are amazingly interested in working with students, but you have to seek that attention out. If you make the effort to connect with your professors, there is no limit to what you can learn. Fail to connect and you'll find something lacking. My classes have been good for the most part, but they have not been the core of my education. Most of what I have learned has been outside a classroom. If you want to come here, be ready to find that for yourself.

How do you feel about the rain?

It does rain here. From around November or December up through March or April, expect mostly rain. This year has been a fluke. Don't let anyone (first-years, admissions employees, hardened Pacific Northwesterners) fool you. It rains, it is cloudy, and that's life. The thing is, the rain is beautiful. It make campus vibrantly green and fresh. Rain is also, it should go without saying, wet. It will get on your books, papers, fancy clothes, hair, etc... The upshot off all this, is that when it does not rain, you appreciate the sun all the more.

There is a lot more I could say, but I think I'll end there. Thanks for reading!