College Research Paper

Christian Diaz
Period 4
6/04/13

Coming to the end of my junior year there is that big decision that I have to start thinking
about where do I want to go after high school throughout the summer before/during senior year.
Seeing that the seniors before they graduated already knew what they were going to do and
where they wanted to go but then realizing that they went through the same thing that Im going
through right now. Narrowing down a certain amount of schools you actually want to apply too
is a hard thing to do because there are so many choices that offer what you want to do. After
doing further research and creating a grid with a criteria for my top 10 schools its helped me
decide on the top 4 schools that I might want to attend. Ive decided that I wanted to apply to
Drexel University, Columbia College Chicago (CCC), Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and
Johnson & Wales University. The criteria that Ill be looking for: popularity of school, tuition,
strength of the culinary and dance programs, financial aid/scholarships. Looking furthermore
into this for my top 4 schools will help conclude my decision on where I want to go.
Being somewhat picky about where exactly I want to go to study my future career trying
to go to a school with the lowest tuition as possible, but noticing that is close to impossible since
tuition has been rising. Not knowing how much money I would be able to get from my family, I
would want a school that offers as much financial aid as possible plus any scholarships that I
would be able to qualify for. Wanting to see more of the world wherever the school may be it
doesnt matter that much to me about where the school is, I would be seeing new scenery. Many
schools offer the majors that I want to study but finding the right one that fits me is the hard part
about it. Wanting to find a school that offers everything I want to study is very rare to find
especially when I want to study Culinary Arts, Dance, Fashion Design, Make-up, & Hair.
Looking more into the majors/programs that each school has to offer to see which has the
best so you know that youll get a good education when you go to that school. Seeing that Ive
found a college that offers two of the majors that I actually wanted to study (Culinary Arts,
Dance) Drexel seems like the school for me but that could change because you dont always
seem to stick with your decision until the time that you have to make the decision. I still dont
know if I can be able to major in 2 things if not I wouldnt mind just majoring in culinary and
minoring in dance as long as Im doing things that I actually want to study is the only important
thing.
Tuition is major problem with many students especially with the economy being tough
enough. Going from the least expensive $22,132 (Columbia College), $27,156 (Johnson &
Wales), $27,230 (Drexel), $31,895 (Culinary Institute of America). The good thing though is that
all the schools offer financial aid which will be able to help me. Drexel University offers full-
tuition scholarships along with partial scholarships like the Deans Award which may earn you
up to $18,500 annually. Columbia college offers scholarships from $5,000-$12,000 per student;
Johnson & Wales has the National FFA Scholarship which ranges from $1,000-$7,500. Lastly
the Culinary Institute of America offers a Merit Based Scholarships which gives award from
$2,500-$5,000. Seeing how these schools have so many scholarships that are available to their
students makes paying for the tuition a lot more easier
Sometimes distance is an important factor to certain people some want to be closer to
home while others want to go out-of-state and see places theyve never seen before. All my
schools are out-of-state with places like North Miami, New York, Pennsylvania, & Chicago. It
might be a tough decision when it comes down for me to leave and have to live on my own but
sometimes things have to be done for your benefit. Based off of my criterias and what Im
looking for, if I had to rank from my first to last choice I would mostly decide to go to Drexel
University , after Johnson & Wales, third Culinary Institute of America, and last Columbia
College. Making the final assumption of what exactly Im going to do is still undecided
depending on how things go between now and when the application are due.
Wanting to attend a school with the strongest department of the major you want to study.
The CIA is the biggest culinary school and has a good reputation, having a lot of restaurants
along with a gym there since most of the time being there would be all about eating. Johnson &
Wales is a prestigious private school having a fair amount of a student body to make it well
adjustable. Columbia College Chicago makes anything they want to as attractive as possible to
bring in more students to apply there in the way by how much time they doing their art works
over there in order to make it happen. Drexel University makes a big statement and also tries to
make you go to their school all by talking about everything that goes on over and about how its
not too far from urban cities like New York, or New Jersey. Making you want to seem like your
closer to home.
The world is filled with many things to learn and you want to be able to learn everything
that interests and maybe even have a career with it too. Being someone who wants to learn a lot
for my own benefit so that I could be able to use it in the future at any moment that Ill need it.
Not every college/university offers even two of the majors that you may want to study because of
the type of school it is or its very rare to see them both offered at the same place. Whether or not
I have to go to different school I want to be able to learn how to cook, dance, design/make
clothes, cut/style hair, and do make-up.
Coming down to the final decision is a difficult thing to come too which can come to you
over time but there is time limits set for you to make those decisions even though most students
dont start college right after they graduate high school. Choosing the choice that will determine
my future is an essential thing to give a good amount of thought too especially to ensure that it
suits well for you. Still having some time to think more of what Im going to do this summer and
during the next school year.


Appendix A
Application Requirements
Drexel University: Complete Application. Application fee, $75 (waived if you apply on
campus or online). 250-to-500 word essay online. Official transcripts, two letters of
recommendation (one must be from counselor). SAT/ACT scores, Portfolio (Fashion Design and
Graphic Design applicants only), Audition (Dance Applicants only).
http://www.drexel.edu/undergrad/apply/freshmen-instructions/
Culinary Institute of America: High school diploma or GED credential. One or more
recommendations depending on which program youre applying for. If accepted required to take
a placement test. Requires that you have relevant experience in a non-fast-food establishment
with a professional kitchen for six months or by completing culinary classes at either the high
school or college level before you enter CIA.
http://www.ciachef.edu/admissions-requirements/
Johnson & Wales: Selecting which application to fill out depending on what youre
doing. Everyone is required to fill out the FAFSA financial aid form. Verification of completion
of high school/transcripts.
http://www.jwu.edu/content.aspx?id=53232
Columbia College Chicago: Application for undergraduate emissions, including essay;
Official transcripts of high school academic record; one letter recommendation; a non-refundable
application fee. SAT/ACT scores.
http://catalog.colum.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=821


Appendix B
Interviews
Name: Elizabeth Carvanza
Senior Graduate
How do you feel about starting college?
A bit nervous and excited I mean but Im glad Im finally going to be focused on what I
want to study.
What should I pay attention to when it comes to making a decision about where I
want to go?
I would say the academic part if it has good programs and classes of what you want to
study but also the student life and if youre comfortable in the campus.
How long does the college application process usually take?
Usually about 1 to 2 days
What do you want to major in?
Im going for International Business
Did you request to receive any financial aid? Is it a hard thing to apply for?
Yes I did! I mean if you have your parents info you should be fine its not that hard.
Did you ever see yourself starting in a community college?
Yes I did, it was my main option
How many times did you take the SAT until you got the score you wanted?
I took it twice
Was there moments that were stressful when making your decision?
Just thinking about how much it would be
What are you excited about when you start?
HmmmI would say meeting new people.

Name: Angela Ortiz
Current College Student
How is high school life different from college life?
You get more freedom, you have to pay for classes, and its definitely more expensive.
Its a lot more work and challenging.
Do you learn a lot every time you have class?
Most of the time, its a lot of note taking and lectures.
What is something you have to pay attention to more since youre in college?
Your absences; if you miss too many classes, youll be dropped out of class youll lose
your financial aid and also youre responsible for learning the material in class, you have
to keep up with the work.
How was your experience in your first year?
Honestly it was okay; I got a feel for what college life really is.
How did you decide what you wanted to study?
Well I like to help people, so I figured out that nursing would be perfect, but now at the
end of my freshman year, I kind of want to change my major to psychology, criminal
justice, or education.
What do essays for college require?
Very detailed writing, in a professional manner and theyre usually 5 or more pages.
Did your parents talk to you about what they want you to do in school?
Yeah, but I dont want to do what they want me to do. I want to get a major/job that I
enjoy.
What do the professors expect from you?
To do your work and come to class everyday
What do you prefer to get when you graduate your bachelor/masters degree
Well the bigger your degree, the more money you make, so masters degree, but I dont
want to stay in school that long.
Is going to a community college first a good start before you actually go to the
school you want to go too?
Yes, because it introduces you to what college really is and prepares you for a 4 year
school.





Citations
College Board. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2013. <http://www.collegeboard.org/>.
Columbia College Chicago. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Culinary Institute of America. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Drexel University. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
FiDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising). N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Georgian Court University. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Johnson & Wales University. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
SCAD (University for Creative Careers). N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
SMU (Southern Methodist University). N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
The University of North Carolina Greensboro. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Carvanza, Elizabeth. Personal interview. 5 June 2013.
Columbia College Chicago. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 June 2013. <http://www.colum.edu/>.
The Culinary Institute of America. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 June 2013.
<http://www2.ciachef.edu/ldg_adm/fil_google_b.html?gclid=CKqu7-
6yz7cCFcye4AodoHoAdg>.
Drexel University. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 June 2013. <http://www.drexel.edu/>.
Johnson & Wales University. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 June 2013. <http://www.jwu.edu/>.
Ortiz, Angela. Personal interview. 4 June 2013.