High School Decisions: Choosing a University   - The University of Tulsa
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High School Decisions: Choosing a University  

As a young man in high school like most high schoolers, I did not enjoy school. While in high school, I joined the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). Initially, I began taking JROTC because I needed an elective credit to graduate, and I did not want to play in the band. I came to the realization that I really enjoyed the program. I fell in love with the structure, rigor, and excellence required to do well in class.

I participated in various activities for that class such as physical training (PT), developing service projects, doing community service, and participating on drill teams. The class was designed with the intention of making students into well rounded citizens to the benefit of the community, state, and our country by teaching us through a military style of teaching. Because of this teaching style there are many that take JROTC for the purpose of joining the military after high school and I never really considered that option until I recognized the potential it held for me.

As I went through JROTC, I still held the belief that I would go to college because I wanted to have a degree that I could always rely on. As my junior year of high school approached, my attitude got weary about the thought of going to college for four more years. I applied to Oklahoma State University (OSU) because they had an outstanding ROTC program that I thought would be fun to participate in. I also applied to the University of Tulsa (TU) because I like a challenge. I knew that TU was a very rigorous and prestigious school so I wanted to know if I could actually get into the university. I received acceptance letters from both schools.

I was at an impasse because I knew if I attended OSU I would be doing so just for ROTC not anything so much for my future. After lots of consideration, I decided that I wanted to be challenged and take on the rigor that TU offers.


by Fidel B