Every June Seniors make their way across Dozier Field, throwing their caps in the air with joy. Come September, they’re ready to go to college. This is both a frightening and exciting time for many, and it can often be difficult to navigate the new terrain. As such, we asked former Park City High School students to talk with us about life after high school. Here is what they said.

Logan Baltzan

PCHS Class of 2013

Attending the University of Utah

Majoring in Sociology

What advice would you give to high school seniors about choosing a college?

I would advise students to be more open about attending school in state. The experience of college is going to be very similar wherever you go, so why spend thousands of dollars to do so. Don’t let the culture of Park City High pressure you into thinking that you must leave Utah to get a decent education.

What is one thing you would tell high school students not to worry so much about?

As a high school student you should let go of the notion that when you leave high school suddenly everything will fall into place. Things really don’t get any easier outside of high school, you only get thicker skin, which is something to look forward to. If you look at the bigger picture, you have your whole life to figure out your strengths, your weaknesses, your likes, your dislikes, who you are as a person, so don’t rush trying to figure out these things.

Is college what you thought it would be?

College is not what I thought it to be. It’s a blast, don’t get me wrong, but a lot of college is growth, and growth isn’t always comfortable or painless. It’s a time for self-reflection and self-improvement, not just drinking every weekend and meeting new friends.

Is there anything interesting that you’re doing right now?

Currently I am volunteering at The Road Home, a local homeless shelter, for one of my classes. I get credit for volunteering 100 hours in a semester, averaging 8 hours a week. I am learning to be more empathic and compassionate because of my experiences there, which I value above all else.

Micalea Berglund

PCHS Class of 2016

Attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland

Majoring in Astrophysics

Why did you choose to go to St. Andrews?

St. Andrews is a little beach town on the eastern edge of Scotland. It is not only a cute place to live and learn, but it is a town built of castles, where golf was created, and where Will met Kate. I have a fondness to [wearing] sweaters on the beach, and here I am, sitting in a castle, wearing a cardigan, looking at the North Sea.

What advice would you give to high school seniors about choosing a college?

As a high school senior applying for college, you are probably overwhelmed with options. It may seem safe just to apply where you know you can get in, or to where your parents went, or to the schools that you know will give you scholarships. My advice is to not get caught up in the names. In the end, you will be most successful at a school that fits your personality.

Would you recommend that students go to college abroad?

I highly recommend looking into international schools. The times when it seems difficult to be so far from home are the times that you are truly becoming independent. You’ll go home eventually, and when you do, you’ll just wish that you were back overseas. Your early twenties is one of the best times to explore the world, and studying abroad is a fantastic way to seize that opportunity.

Nick Coleman

PCHS Class of 2016

Univeristy of Utah Honors College

Majoring in Political Science & Economics

How did you decide upon your major?

You know, it’s funny—I chose the major that I promised myself I’d never pursue. Instead of picking something that interested me, I researched the average point distribution of various majors on the LSAT.  I found that philosophy scored exceptionally high; thus, I declared that as my major. And I quickly found that I made a terrible mistake. Therefore, I switched to political science and economics, which are two subject areas that actually interest me.

What made you choose the University of Utah over other universities?

Despite my academics, the only university that I sent an application to was the University of Utah. The decision for me was fairly simple using a cost-benefit analysis. College degrees are quickly becoming the new high school diploma, and I personally see college as a stepping stone along a long educational pathway… But I consciously chose the college that offered me basically free education, with the opportunity to be a big fish in a smaller pond (shout out Gladwell).

What advice would you give to a high school senior about choosing a college?

I’d say that it’s important to follow your intuition. While I chose the most cost-efficient option, that was based upon personal circumstances. If an undergraduate degree is the highest level of education one wants to pursue, then hell, go to Georgetown. But if pre-med and/or postgrad is the goal, then I would highly recommend the U.

Is there anything interesting that you are doing right now?

I secured an internship next semester in Washington D.C. with the Senate Finance Committee. I will arrive in D.C. on January 7th; I will live in the capital for the entire spring semester. Oh, and I am learning my mother tongue (Russian) too.

Katie Kelley

PCHS Class of 2015

Georgetown University

Majoring in International Politics with a concentration in Security Studies

What is your advice for seleting a college?

Most people go to college to become educated and eventually get a job, but this all means nothing if you aren’t happy in the process. I know many people who are unhappy at Ivy caliber schools. There were definitely times when I questioned if I would have been happier at a less competitive institution. Now this isn’t to say that the majority of students at competitive institutions are disillusioned, nor that they absolutely would be happier at lower tier universities. I just want to emphasize that you shouldn’t judge institutions solely in terms of numbers and rankings. You don’t [judge] yourself [solely] by your AP scores, so why would you ever judge an institution based on its acceptance rate? Tour campus if you can and choose a school that’s actually right for you.

What has college been like for you?

I absolutely love the stimulating and engaging academic environment. I have definitely learned a lot about myself, because especially at Georgetown I am constantly being put in situations that encourage me to reflect on who I am and who I want to be. This has all been worth it for me, but I’m not sure that it would have been worth it for everyone. I think that for some people, especially if they are pursuing a career that doesn’t require a college education, college might not be worth the cost.

Quinn Graves

PCHS Class of 2015

University of Utah Honors College

Majoring in Environmental & Sustainability Studies and Geography with an emphasis in Biogeography & Ecology

What advice would you give to high school seniors about the whole pre-college process?

My advice is to listen to yourself over anyone else. Do what you want to do, and don’t let counselors, your family, or friends tell you that what you should to do after high school. If you want to and are able to go to a four-year university, do it. If you want to travel, do it. If you want to work, do it.

How is college different than high school?

College institutions hand you multitudes of events, clubs, and groups to be a part of. However, no one is going to hold your hand (at least in my experience at a huge university)… It can be hard if you don’t like to go places by yourself, but [getting involved] is probably the most valuable thing I have done thus far in college. Go to any event that looks interesting and do it by yourself. This is how you’ll find what you love to do.

Is there anything interesting that you’re doing right now?

Right now I work at the Edible Campus Gardens at the University of Utah. I lead volunteer sessions for anyone who wants to come help out in the gardens. We have a Farmer’s Market from August to October and grow all of our produce using organic methods. We also tour classes through the gardens and teach them about the importance of sustainable agriculture and what we do on campus and in the community.

Dominic Croce

PCHS Class of 2015

UC Berkeley

Majoring in Mechanical Engineering

What is one thing you would tell high school students not to worry so much about?

It was in my case, as I didn’t know where I was going until mid-April. For those that do not have a clear first choice and/or didn’t receive admission early, the best thing to do is to not stress out while you are waiting. Many times decisions are made for you, both in a positive context as well as in disappointment.

What advice would you give to high school seniors about the pre-college process?

Obviously going to a school that suits your academic interests is important. But beyond that, I would put quality of life above of many other factors. I enjoy myself in Berkeley because the people I interact with, the urban fast-paced setting, the decent weather, the campus, and the surrounding town. In Park City, there is a culture that seniors are expected to go to a name-brand, prestigious university. “Just the U” is commonly a response for people that end up going to the University of Utah in PCHS, but for many people the U of U is a great fit. My advice is to heavily consider where you want to live when making the college decision.