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My College Journey, by Sam Metzer, Class of 2017 - Part 1

A College Testimonial – Part 1
by Sam Metzger, Class of 2017, of Morganville
 
Anticipation. It seems that everything I have accomplished during high school thus far has been in anticipation of entering “the college process” – and now, it’s finally here. I feel somewhat ambivalent regarding the preparations ahead of me – a great deal of excitement, as well as a huge amount of anxiety. Questions run through my head almost constantly. What universities will I get into? Which one will I attend? Will I get into any of my top choices? Ultimately, I hope to end up at a large school with great school spirit and sports programs.
 
 
Luckily, my college guidance counselor is already leading me through this unsettling time and I know he will help lead me through a pathway of success. I am lucky to have Dr. Accrocco as my college counselor in this process. We have already developed a strong relationship. Dr. Accrocco always has an open door, and sometimes I stop into his office to just to say hello and catch up. In addition to being my college guidance counselor, he is also the faculty advisor for the Upper School’s Big Brothers Big Sisters group, of which I am a part. He is knowledgeable, supportive and easy going. I am very confident that we will successfully complete the college application (and hopefully) acceptance process.
 
For now, however, it’s crunch time. As a junior, there is no time to waste. During the past couple of months, I have visited several institutions with my family to see what types of colleges I like. I attended the Ranney College fair this year, as well as my sophomore year. Dr. Accrocco worked with me to organize an effective senior schedule for next year, as well as a list of schools to which I will apply. Any free time I have is spent practicing for standardized tests, visiting additional colleges or preparing for the college process in general. The thought of college is very exhilarating, but it is essential that I continue to work hard and maintain a strong GPA.
 
Like me, some of my peers are fearful and overwhelmed by the college process, but we are also excited to experience it. As I look ahead to the summer and my last year at Ranney, I intend to focus on maintaining my grades and reaching my target testing scores. But I also plan to keep up my sports and activities—I play on the Varsity Basketball and Lacrosse teams and remain an integral part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters club and Friendship Circle.
 
I look forward to taking the next major step in my life and am excited to work with Ranney’s College Guidance Office during this journey.
 
Sam began attending Ranney in the sixth grade. This essay was written in the spring of Sam’s junior year. His sister, Olivia, is a member of Ranney’s Class of 2019.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.