The College Choice: Choosing Where to Go to School

Melissa Darlow is involved in lots of clubs and organizations at USC. Recently, she worked the Red Carpet at the premiere of the movie Get Hard.

Editor’s Note: Melissa Darlow is a freshman at University of Southern California and a graduate of The Emery Weiner School. She will be interning with The Buzz this summer and wrote this blog post in anticipation of high school seniors making tough college choices.

The May 1 college acceptance deadline is fast approaching. For those high school seniors who have already committed to their choice college, congratulations! But for those of you, like I was, struggling with the decision on which university to select, I offer one new word to throw in the mix, which might help sway your decision: clubs.

Yes, you heard me. Clubs. Location, prestige, academics, sports, and Greek life often take center-stage in the college decision-making process. Clubs are, at best, ignored or relegated to mere after-thought status. But with a myriad of campus clubs spanning from a cappella to zoology, and every letter in between, including the ability to start your own organization, joining and participating in college clubs can not only enhance, but transform your entire college experience.

Take me for instance. I am currently a human biology major at the University of Southern California. I am interested in nutrition, although some people accuse me of being a health and fitness fanatic. I also love to write. I auditioned for and was selected as a correspondent for The SCoop, an entertainment news show on Trojan Vision, the student-run online television network at USC.

Recently, I interviewed Keegan Allen of Pretty Little Liars fame and mentalist Paul Draper, and was on the Red Carpet for the recent Hollywood Premier of Will Farrell’s new movie, Get Hard. I was also chosen as a Staff Reporter and have published pieces in Neon Tommy, USC’s digital news outlet. In becoming active in these two campus organizations, I have made new friends, had amazing experiences, and discovered my passion for broadcast and digital journalism. I still love nutrition, but maybe as a minor with journalism clearly winning my heart.

I did not select USC because of these clubs, but had I investigated them, my college choice would have been much easier. So as you high school students contemplate your options, check out the student club offerings.

Do you secretly want to sing, save the planet, perform at poetry slams, or become the next UN Ambassador? Does skydiving, playing assassin, being part of the zombie defense league, or exploring cheese excite you? The college club offerings are endless. Investigating student organizations will not only help ease your college decision making anxiety, but once on campus, joining them will afford amazing friendships, endless opportunities, and the very real possibility that you may actually discover yourself.

Already know where you’re attending college? Share with us your college choice on our Buzz database to see who else is attending your same college and where your classmates are headed.