Man, that college decision hit me like a ton of bricks last spring. Felt like everyone else had their life figured out while I was sweating buckets over LMU vs BC brochures cluttering my desk. Totally froze up.
The Overwhelming Kickoff
Started simple enough. Pulled up both college websites like anyone else would. LMU’s homepage blasted me with pics of sunny LA campuses and palm trees, real Hollywood vibes. BC’s site screamed East Coast prestige – brick buildings, serious-looking students, all that “rah-rah academia” stuff.
Drowning in the Details
Then the digging began:
- Smashed my brain comparing tuition numbers. BC’s sticker price made my eyes water, even after their aid package.
- Spammed both admissions offices with questions – LMU replied crazy fast with this chill counselor vibe. BC took days but hit back with hard data and rankings.
- Stalked student forums till 3 AM one Tuesday. Found LMU kids complaining about tiny dorms, BC folks moaning about Boston winters wrecking their mental health. Relatable chaos.
Couldn’t even decide how to decide. Made not one, but two dumb spreadsheet attempts. Colors everywhere – red for cons, green for pros. Looked like a toddler’s art project after ten minutes.
Reality Check Time
Mom barged into my room mid-spiral, saw the papers avalanching off my desk. “Enough spreadsheets,” she says. “Tell me real stuff. Where you gonna feel alive?”
So I thought raw.
- At LMU: Imagined joining film club, driving to Venice Beach between classes. Felt exciting, kinda shallow?
- At BC: Saw myself grinding through tough winters, networking with finance bros. More respect, but scary AF.
Realized my gut kept whispering “cold makes you tougher.” Even while hating snow. Soul-searching is exhausting, honestly.
The Final Push
Took four things to the mat:
- Money Talk: BC’s alumni network stats convinced Dad it was an “investment.” Sold.
- Major Stress: BC’s business program legit intimidated me – which meant it was probably good? Scary-good.
- The Vibe Shift: Watched unedited campus tour vlogs. LMU felt like perpetual vacation. BC felt… grown-up. Heavy.
- Future Me: Asked which dude I’d respect more in ten years. Gotta be real with yourself.
Clicking That Button
Sat staring at the laptop for a full hour. Typed in the BC portal password. Finger hovered over “accept admission.” Finally smashed enter, slammed the laptop shut, and ate two bags of chips feeling wildly relieved and nauseous. Done. No take-backs.
BC it is. Freezing winters, brutal classes, and all. Still wonder about those LA sunsets sometimes though. Life’s messy like that.