By Jacqueline Risch

Accepted! The one word that changes where you live, introduces you to new people, and opens the door to unlimited opportunities. That one word determines where you attend college, and that choice should align with the school that is the best for you.

How do you make such a big decision? Luckily, Tempe Prep is hosting its own, personal College Day on Oct. 19, specializing in helping seniors make that exact choice. Juniors and seniors will have the chance to listen and talk to representatives from a variety of colleges including Thomas Aquinas College, Arizona State University, The University of Dallas, The University of Alabama, Vanderbilt, and many more. Presentations will occur every half-hour starting at 8 am, with a fiesta lunch for students that attend at least four presentations.

While this event is required for upperclassmen, it is highly encouraged that sophomores attend as well. And why wouldn’t you go? You wouldn’t buy your dream car without driving it first, right? College Day is your own personal test drive, a prelude to your future.

Mrs. Moffitt compares going to college with “buying a house,” a personal investment. The second step in buying your dream car is asking questions about the vehicle. While attending College Day is useful, it is critical to participate and ask questions. Not only will this make you stand out as an applicant, but it will also help you gather more information about the college.

Mrs. Moffitt reveals that these presentations are chances to “personally meet admission deans that will review your application.” When asked about the best ways to prepare for College Day, Mrs. Moffitt further states that students should “research the college on Naviance’” and “look at the types of majors they offer and graduation rates.”

Asking good questions is valuable as well; but what constitutes a good question? “How is your college different from other colleges?” “Why did you choose to attend that college?” These are questions that Mrs. Moffitt advises asking. There is also a college questionnaire sheet by Mrs. Moffitt’s door for students to use as well.

The final step before deciding on a car is to further research the benefits of that particular make and model. Students can do this with college by scheduling an interview, further researching the college online, and visiting, states Mrs. Moffitt.

College Day is not only an opportunity to test drive your future, but figure out the car you’ll be using to get there. You won’t want to miss it.