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GaGa Team II
 Amy Surles
You’re going to college in NH?!!! Why? That question was posed to me many times my senior year in high school, mostly accompanied with shocked expressions.
I grew up in South Florida, and no one ever expected me to go to school so far away.
I have always loved New England and when I came to visit UNH, I knew this was the beautiful, northern school that I had been looking for. My parents and I were concerned about how expensive college would be, but I received a UNH scholarship for my good grades and a UNH need -based grant, so that covered some of my tuition. I was a little nervous about living on my own at first, but I quickly fell in love with it here. I joined a sorority my freshman year and I lived there for 3 years, until my senior year when I moved into an apartment, right in the heart of adorable Main Street in downtown Durham. I am currently a Senior and a Business Administration major studying Marketing. I plan on moving to Boston when I graduate, and working at an Advertising Firm. I’ve grown up so much, became independent of my parents, and made so many friends, many who I know will be friends for a lifetime. Going to college, and choosing UNH was the best decision I’ve ever made. What are you waiting for?
Hannah Fisher
When I was in high school, I never really thought about how expensive college really is. I knew I wanted to go and figured it would just work itself out. I am now a senior at the University of New Hampshire—an out-of-state school for me—and will owe $60,000 plus interest when I’m done. But to be honest, I’m not very nervous and I don’t regret it one bit! I signed up for loans through the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) which I will have to start paying soon after graduation. Because I have a degree and a good education from UNH, I will be able to find a job that pays well enough to cover the monthly payments for my loan. I couldn’t imagine paying that with a job I could get right out of high school. Having gone to college will also allow me to make thousands more than I would have had I not gone and this money will make up for my loans and a lot more! My point is, college pays off—a little debt now can mean a whole lot extra later.
 Megan Call, Senior
I always knew I wanted to go to college, but I’ll admit I was a little scared to move away from home. I’ve always been really close with my family, and was nervous that I wouldn’t like living on my own. My parents both went to community colleges and lived at home, so they wanted me to have the experience they never did; dorm life and all the experiences of living on a college campus. It turns out, they were right. Not only did I make tons of friends and become completely independent, I have never been homesick once. In fact, I have had an apartment on campus for the past 2 years, and can’t even imagine living with my parents again! UNH has been beyond everything I could have expected from a college, and I honestly don’t think I would have had as much fun anywhere else. From football games, to partying all night with my friends, it has been a great way to spend 4 years… and I even got a great education out of it. ; )
Shauna Moran
I can still remember slowly opening the envelope labeled University of New Hampshire admissions office. My hands were shaking, my heart racing and my head pounding. One word “congratulations” sent me flying out the front door. I met my mother in the driveway as she was just returning from work. She knew right away, it was written all over my face; the unmistakable look of pride.
Until that moment I will admit anything I could worry about, I did. From how I was going to pay for college, to leaving friends I had had since kinder-garden, to choosing a color and pattern for a new set of sheets to cover a new and unfamiliar bed. At that moment however, I was not concerned with any such thing. I was excited and frankly, thrilled with myself. I had made the decision to apply to college despite all of my concerns. I knew the next four years would present me with new best friends, endless opportunities, and the chance to make a place for myself in one very big world.
I am now a senior with one final semester left. Four years ago I couldn’t imagine leaving home. Now, this is my home and I would give anything to be standing in that same old driveway holding that letter about to embark on the greatest adventure of my life.
 Meghan Pritchard
I thought my SAT scores would hold me back from college ~ I was wrong
Hello, my name is Meghan Pritchard. I am currently a senior at the University of New Hampshire in the Whittemore School of Business and Economics. My major is Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and I also have a minor in Hospitality Management. Four years ago I never thought I would be at this university. I always knew I didn’t test well, but I hadn’t even thought about how it would affect my SAT scores; well it did. I got a 950 which didn’t match my 96 grade point average. I applied to UNH anyways (where ideal SAT scores range from 1030-1230) and got accepted. UNH didn’t only look at my SAT scores; they saw the number of extra curricular activities I participated in, recommendations from teachers, my essay and my grades. College is a possibility for everyone and everyone has different strengths; find that strength and utilize it. Taking that change and applying here was the best decision I’ve ever made. I have made better friends than I ever thought possible, had the time of my life and got a great education.
 Brett Berger
It was my senior year of high school and all I could think about was getting out of the house, living on my own, and meeting new people. Most of my friends were staying close to home, but I wanted to live far enough away where my parents couldn't visit me every weekend, but I could make the drive if I needed to. Living in New Hampshire is very different from living in New York, but that's what I was looking for. I didn't know anyone from my high school. I wanted to meet new people and experience new things.
I've played hockey all my life and I thought after high school I wouldn't play again. I was wrong. I found out UNH had a club program that was very competitive. I gave it a shot and have been playing ever since. My teammates are my best friends and the memories I've had with them are priceless. The friendships I've made over my four years at UNH will stay with me for life. I'll never forget the concerts I went to, tailgating at the football games, screaming my lungs out at the hockey games, and not to mention partying with my boys. All of this while getting my degree. I would do anything to be a freshman again and do it all again.
 Taylor Schwab
For me going to college wasn’t a choice- it was an expectation. I knew from day 1 that I was college bound whether I liked it or not. What I didn’t know id that money doesn’t grow on trees. So when it came time to decide where I wanted to apply, cost was a major factor. I applied to 10 schools, was accepted to 10 schools and received money from only 2. My family is in the unfortunate group of people who make too much money to qualify for financial aid, but make too little to be able to pay for college without a struggle. So when I received the Dean’s Scholarship (to my complete surprise) from UNH, I knew that financially this would put the least burden on my parents’ bank account, and so I decided to attend. Four years later, I have never once regretted that decision. UNH provided me with everything I ever expected out of college and more. I honestly don’t think I could have had a more fun time anywhere else, and believe I have gotten everything out of the college experience I could have. It was the best decision of my life and leaving here in May, may possibly be the scariest and saddest event that has occurred in all 21 years of my life. Whether it be UNH, Plymouth, Salem, or wherever your decisions made lead you, my advice is go to college, take everything you can from it, and appreciate what you have while you are there, because unfortunately, it won’t last forever.
Kristy Seid
 I was raised in a small town right next to Durham, NH. Going to college was a given, I had no other choice; my parents wanted the best for me since they didn’t have the chance to go to college. I am one of the few that are fortunate enough to have my parents paying for my college education. I knew that I had to pick a college that was reasonable on their bank account. When I was in high school I had my mind set that I didn’t want to go to UNH. I made my college decision to go far enough away, but close enough to home to Fairfield University in Connecticut. Unfortunately due to financial circumstances that came up that summer, I choose not to go. UNH was a safety school that I applied to. I went through a process of reacceptance to enroll for the fall. I was a nervous wreck; there were so many decisions and things I had to do. Luckily UNH accepted me back. All that I cared about was to go to college. Now that I look back, I don’t regret going to UNH.
 Ashley Busa
In high school no one ever asked me “are you going to college when you graduate?” instead I was prompted with the question “what college would you like to go to when you graduate?” I never had to make a decision about whether I should go to college or not because going to college was a fact in my family. My parents both went to college and I was one of the last among four other siblings to attend college. I chose UNH because I loved how beautiful the campus was as well as all the non academic amenities (i.e. an indoor track at the gym!). Don’t get me wrong though, I did take into account the quality of the education I would receive at UNH as well. The Whittemore School of Business is quite superior to other business schools in the area and that also was a contributing factor to my decision to go to UNH. Looking back upon my college experience now as a senior, I wondered what I would have done had I not gone to college and it frightens me. If I had not gone to college I would have missed out on some of my best memories thus far as well as making new friends and even new best friends. In May the happiness I have experience here will be slightly overcome with sadness as I have to leave a place that I’ll have called “home” for last four years of my life. If theres one thing in my life I am almost certain I will never regret its going to college. College has so much to offer than just words in a book, its an experience you will take with you for the rest of your life. College is the time of your life, go see for yourself what it has to offer.
Jeff Blake
Throughout my junior and senior year of high school, I was undergoing one of the biggest decisions of my life. The decision on what college I wanted to go to for the next four years of my life was tearing me apart. Two things were known, I wanted to go to a business school for a reasonable amount of money, and I needed that school to be a big university. After going through four years of high school, I realized that I couldn’t go through another four years of my life without the chance of meeting and interacting with new people every day. I had had enough of the cliques that high school only had to offer, and I knew I needed to get away from it all.
The problem that I had was that the school that met all my criteria was the University of New Hampshire. Why would that be a problem for me you might ask? Unfortunately the many cliques I was trying to get away from were all going to the same University I was going to. Around 40 to 50 kids from my school went to UNH every year, and I didn’t want to be held down with the same group of kids. As skeptical as I was I realized that UNH was the best school that fit my educational, financial, and social needs, and I decided to go with it and try the school out.
When I got to the school, my fear of what would happen with all of the kids from the hometown was true. They stuck together, and didn’t branch out and meet new people and experience different ways of life. The good thing was that I wasn’t a part of that at all. I branched out, met new people, joined a fraternity, and made my college experience more fulfilling with a group of friends that I’m closer with than anyone from my home, and I will never regret the fact that I came to UNH.
Katie Petroff
Hi! My name is Katie Petroff and I’m currently a senior at the University of New Hampshire. I am a Business Administration major, with a focus in Marketing, and a Hospitality Management Minor. I’m originally from Massachusetts and over the years I’ve come to love the relaxed, fun-loving atmosphere of New Hampshire. I’m active in Greek life, business clubs and club sports and I’ve also taken advantage of the variety of work-study programs that are offered here at UNH. Looking back on the past couple years of college I realize how fast it all went by. I wish I could trade places with the incoming freshman, and re-live all the wonderful and exciting experiences of college. Not only have I made lifelong friends and memories along the way, I’ve also found myself and have grown into a young, educated, prepared adult. Don’t miss out, take advantage of your resources and go to college!
Daniel Epner
 Growing up I was never a great student and didn’t know if college was the right placed for me to be. Most of my friends were positive that college was the right choice, others thought that it wasn’t the best move for them. I thought about where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do with my life for a lot of my junior and senior year. There were some tough decisions I had to make and I didn’t know how I should go about finding the answers to these questions. That’s when my older brother stepped in and asked me to give him a ride home from his college for winter break. I had nothing else to do that weekend so I decided to make a trip out of it. I spent the entire weekend with him living the “college” life. While I was there I realized how much my brother had grown, how many new friends he made from all over, and how good of a time he was having during all of this. It was then that I realized how much of a positive experience college is. From that point on I knew that going to college was the right move for me and I have not regretted that decision since. I made a ton of friends and learned so much while I have been here at college. Without a doubt, going to college was the best decision of my life.
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New Hampshire Goes to College