May 22, 2020
As the 2019–20 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of the Class of 2020!
In what grade did you come to MPA?
I came to MPA right at the end of fifth grade. My cousin was in eighth grade here and had raved about how great MPA is and how my family should look at it. When we toured, we feel in love with the school and I enrolled immediately.
How did you come to choose the college that you did?
I chose Cornell College for a couple reasons. I knew I wanted to be in the midwest but not in MN and I wanted to be at a small school. I looked at a lot of schools and Cornell had always been on my list because of the One Course At A Time program but I didn’t really think much about it until I visited. When I visited last spring break, I instantly fell in love with everything. I loved the campus, the food, the dorms, the town that surrounds it and the sense of community. I instantly felt at home. And being able to get a first hand perspective about the One Course At A Time program and see how amazing it is really made it clear to me that Cornell was were I wanted to be.
What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience?
I am really excited for everything about college! It’s something that I have been really looking forward to for the past two years. I can’t wait to make friends and throw myself fully into the community and be in clubs and different organizations that I really was not a part of in high school.
What did you appreciate most about the college counseling process at MPA?
I really appreciate the amount of time spent with each individual student, really getting to know us and what we are looking for, and providing information. I never felt lost or overwhelmed through my junior and senior year because of how amazing the college counseling department is.
What about your MPA experience has best prepared you for college?
I believe that MPA’s welcoming and supportive environment has definitely prepared me the most. The support and inspiration that I got from my peers and teachers helped me grow as a person and find my passions. I was able to start to grow to be the person who I want to be. Becoming that person has also helped me grow academically and realize my strength when it comes to the work I get. It has pushed me to achieve more.
What is your advice for MPA’s Class of 2032 (kindergartners)?
Throw yourself into everything. Try everything. Not just at school, but with your friends, family, hobbies, sports and everything else. Just try it even if it’s just for a little bit or even if it’s something that you think you might not like. Trying it will help you determine whether you want to continue with whatever it is or not. It will help you find your passions and help you grow. Some of those passions might change or fade over time, but there will always be more things to try. Just try it and see what happens.
The 53 members of the Class of 2020 plan to attend 41 different colleges and universities in 18 states, Washington D.C., Canada, and Australia. See their destinations here. Learn more about MPA’s College Counseling Program here!
