by Lauren Krogman

With 110 days until graduation, seniors at AHS are finalizing their college decisions.  Whether selecting a big university or community college, students have different visions on what they want their college life to be like.

Senior Logan Steffens will be attending Iowa State University in Ames next fall.  Steffens said, “I chose Iowa State because it is the best engineering school in Iowa, it is affordable and it’s close to home.”  Affordability and location are two of the many things students look for when choosing colleges.

Senior Tanner Lovell is looking for something a little different when he attends the University of Northern Iowa next year.  Lovell said, “It has a good program for what I’m going into.  It’s also not huge like Iowa, but not really small like a private college.”  Many seniors are looking for a size that’s right for them.

Senior Jez Phippen is excited to meet new people next fall at Iowa Central in Fort Dodge.  Phippen said, “Some of my friends go there and told me it’s a great college.  I then visited and I really enjoy the place.”  Phippen says he is looking forward to having classes with people he doesn’t know and is anxious to meet new friends.

As the year winds down, seniors are choosing their colleges carefully.  The transition from high school to college can be a tricky one, and being able to feel comfortable in a new “home” is important for many.  As seniors close out another chapter of their lives, they are opening new doors as they finalize their decision for the future.