With the last few Early Action and Early Decision updates coming in, and Regular Decision coming within the next few months, members of the Pascack Valley High School senior class are still waiting for their letters, hoping for an acceptance. From a survey sent out to the Class of 2024 and from interviewing the guidance department, the most popular colleges for this year’s senior class were revealed. Though it is too soon to know where most of the senior class will commit, this list provides an idea of where people want to go.
The guidance counselors including Mary Jo Callanan, Jordan Kapp, and Frank Andrisani gave insight into various topics regarding college decisions at PV both this year and in past years. When asked about the most popular colleges their students in past senior classes have applied to, there were a few repeats and others were unique to their students, including the following.
- Rutgers University
- Rowan University
- University of Delaware
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- The College of New Jersey
- Sacred Heart University
- Quinnipiac University
- Northeastern University
- Montclair State University
- University of Pittsburgh
- James Madison University
- University of Rhode Island
- Clemson University
- College of Charleston
- Penn State University
- Boston University
- Syracuse University
- University of Connecticut
- University of Maryland
- Fairfield University
- University of Southern California
- Ramapo College of New Jersey
When asking Callanan, Kapp, and Andrisani, why they thought these colleges were the most popular for their students to attend, they shared various reasons.
Callanan thinks that a lot of students chose the University of Delaware because of “the proximity to home, the medium size of the school, the school spirit/sports atmosphere, the great academic programs, and a nice campus.”
Kapp thinks that a lot of students chose Quinnipiac University because, “it’s a private school that offers affordable education as well as being not too far from home, with a very welcoming campus.”
Andrisani thinks that a lot of students chose Penn State University because “it is not too far from home, has great school spirit, and strong academics.”
Callanan is an alumnus of Fordham University and chose the school because she was recruited to play D1 soccer, as well as being a great school with access to the city and proximity to New Jersey. Kapp is an alumnus of Long Island University (Post campus) and chose the school because he was able to attend for free. Andrisani is an alumnus of Montclair State University and chose it because it was close to home and had a strong teaching and psychology program. Each of the guidance counselors gave their last bit of insight, where they shared their best advice regarding selecting a college.
“Choose the best fit for you rather than the best college on your list,” Callanan said.
Kapp addressed the financial aspect of college.
“Though cost plays a large role [in the decision] students should also feel that the school itself matches their ‘want’ list,” Kapp said.
According to Andrisani, students should “find the best-fit college for who you are as a person” and not “follow the crowd because it is popular.”
Overall, Callanan, Kapp, and Andrisani gave advice for this senior class. They all agreed that you should find your best-fit school instead of choosing it just based on rankings or popularity.
It should be mainly your decision, not someone else’s; you’re the one spending four years there after all.
From the survey, there was specific insight from the Class of 2024 regarding which colleges they hope to get into as well as why they chose them. Overall, the most popular college was Ramapo College of New Jersey, the most popular state was New Jersey, and the most common reason for wanting to attend the college was the campus. Ramapo is unsurprisingly the most popular because it is close to home, ranked #27 on the Best Regional Universities North on US News along with CUNY (City University of New York) Lehman and Salve Regina University. Their most popular programs or majors include Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, which seem to align with a lot of PV seniors’ career goals.
No matter what college you attend or what your future will bring, you will end up where you need to be. There is always a path you can take that might lead you to something better, and you will make the right choice when the time comes. Good luck to the Class of 2024!
