Does It Matter Where You Go to College

Dear friends.

Recently, I have read an article published on Time.com, in which  Michael Bernick reminded us an important concept that is often forgotten. "It doesn't matter where you go to college," Bernick wrote.

"It just matters that you go."

Extremely true, but I found that not very many students or parents realize the logic behind this simple phrase.

Image from: http://janemcmaster.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/scolding.gif

I grew up in a traditional family that parents are used to be in control of their children's future. If I had not been abroad, I would have probably ended up going to a so called well-known university after graduating from high school. It has become a trend that all the hard work Chinese high schoolers put into is for obtaining an acceptance letter to get into a prestigious school; very few of them know what they want. Thus, going to a better school would never be a bad start.

Sooner or later in your life, you will figure out what personal or social values you are identified with, what your passions are, and what impacts you'd like to leave to the people around you, to your future job, and to your community. But this will only happen in a place where you get to try different things and where you are supported to try things you have never had and still feel comfortable about it. Depending on each individual's personality, the most prestigious school isn't just for anyone.

This year's Spring Visit Day, April 12, we welcomed 4 prospective international students from China, Vietnam, Senegal, and Japan. It was a small get together, but the group was very diverse. So when we sat down on the floor and played Apples to Apples, all kinds of hilarious matches were read out loud. People laughed and seemed to have a fun time.

Photo Credit: Shunying Wang

The reason why we have this event every year is to provide an opportunity for you to visit the campus and bring up questions you may have about PLU. Most importantly, this event also allows you to feel the vibe of the campus and see if you can find yourself studying and living here for at least two years. But PLU has a friendly community. You won't regret it if you visit.

Photo Credit: Taylor Capellaro

And in real life, people like him act exactly like how they look on pictures.

Photo Credit: Shunying Wang

Last semester, I had the privilege to interview Mahlon Meyer, a Chinese History Professor at PLU who was a Stanford University graduate and completed his Master's degree from Harvard University. I asked him about his experience studying in those high-ranking institutions during our interview.

If he had known, he looked deeply into my eyes, he said he would have chosen a smaller institution like PLU, because schools like PLU encourages a close-knit community for students to easily get more involved.

Hope you are enjoying WA's precious sunlight and have a spectaculous week!

Love always,

Shunying