The 2016-17 College Trip Review

By Kevin Hart

         ​On Wednesday, January 25th, Oyster Bay’s sophomore class began their journey on the annual college trip, which allowed students to visit multiple schools down the East Coast.
            Students followed a schedule for the week that allowed them to tour each school and receive advice from admissions counselors, professors, and students. At each school, students would receive a brief introduction to the institution, followed by a tour given by alumni or active students. Once students finished a tour, they had an opportunity to explore a campus store and purchase mementos to mark their experience on the trip. 

​      After the sophomores left the high school for their first destination, the University of Delaware, the class had time to sit down, relax, and chow down on some lunch on campus.
            After visiting the University of Delaware, they visited Loyola University, a Jesuit liberal arts university. With the tour completed, they proceeded to spectate a basketball game between Holy Cross and Loyola, which took place on the campus.
Other colleges that students explored on the trip included The University of Richmond, University of Virginia, UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, George Washington University, the University of Delaware, Loyola University, and William and Mary.
            However, it wasn’t only colleges that entertained sophomores on the trip. Students were taken to multiple spots for fun and games after long days of exploring various schools. Such places included Dave and Busters in Glen Allen, Virginia, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C., and a Bowling Alley in Williamsburg, Virginia.
            After reflecting on her own experience on the trip, sophomore Michelle Ruzzier revealed, “The college trip was a fun experience in which everyone got to see different types of campuses and establish an idea of what types of colleges they like. It was fun to have that experience with your friends and teachers.”
            Maria Randazzo, an art teacher at OBHS and one of the chaperones on the trip, explained, “The college trip provided students with the oversight of what different colleges offer. Students were able to see how they could fit into various campuses based on fields they are interested in, both academically and personally.”
Ms. Randazzo also offered tips for future sophomores interested in researching colleges. “You’re going to need to keep in mind the pros and cons of various schools. Start looking into fields that you find interesting, including scholarships. Be sure to research more about what the tour guides talk about as well.”
            As another college trip came to an end, students experienced new campuses and explored the pros and cons of various schools. Even though many steps remain in the two years leading up to selecting a school, the sophomores who participated in the annual trip definitely received an upper hand in what can sometimes be a rather daunting process.