With almost 5,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. alone, it is easy for someone to find their perfect fit, their dream school. From Ivy League schools to community college, high school seniors have begun applying  in hopes of getting accepted into their top pick.

  Senior Wylie Wang has big dreams when it comes to college. He has applied to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, more commonly know as MIT. “If I could go anywhere it would be MIT or Carnegie Mellon. I want to study computer science, and they have the best two computer science programs on the East Coast,” said Wang.

 Other schools Wang has applied to are Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Cornell University, and  UVA. All of these schools are known for academic excellence and science and technology programs. There are certain factors that can set one school apart from the rest. “One important thing is campus life,” said Wang, “The school also has to suit my major really well. I want to make sure that the school I choose has the things I want to do.”

 For most students, it can be a crushing blow to be rejected from their dream school, luckily for Wang he still has chance. “So far I’ve only heard from MIT and I was deferred,” said Wang.

 Deferral means that you were not accepted nor rejected from admission, but will still be considered when the college does regular admissions. Many students who are deferred are eventually accepted.

 Another incentive to attend a certain college is the fact that it is their parents alma mater. This is the case for senior Savannah Jeter. “If I could go to any college it would be Virginia Tech. My parents went there and I’ve just always grown up with the school spirit. I visited the campus over the summer and I fell in love with it,” said Jeter.

 Virginia Tech has over 30,000 students, so many of which feel the sense of spirit and community. Virginia Tech also plays Division One football, which adds to school moral. “I love school spirit, that is something that is really important to me. I also love big football schools, there is so much to do and so many opportunities.” said Jeter.

  Despite being excited, students still feel pressure to get accepted into college, whether it be their dream school or somewhere else. “I definitely do feel pressure to get into Virginia Tech,” said Jeter, “It isn’t a lot of pressure, but at the same time it is because my parents do really want me to go there, and so do I. If I do not get in I’ll be pretty upset.”

 Some high school athletes choose a college based on the sport they play. The same goes for senior Emilee Scharf. “I’m applying to Miami University of Ohio because they have a synchronized ice skating program,” said Scharf.

 There are many factors that go into choosing a college, but sometimes it is just one thing that can make a school the only place to go. “I’m only applying to schools with a synchronized skating program. If they do not have one, I am not going,” said Scharf.

 Even the most determined of students have a fallback school, just in case their top choice does not work out. “If I do not get into Miami University of Ohio, I’ll go to Adrian College. They have a synchronized skating program too, and I am pretty sure I will get in,” said Scharf.

 Finding a dream school is only the beginning for high school seniors. They have endless possibilities and opportunities awaiting them in college. All they have to do is get in.