I’m a rising college freshman, and I committed to Stanford back in the spring. The thing is, I’m not sure I want to go. Back in March, I also got into Johns Hopkins, which was at/near the top of my list for a very long time, and was probably the best fit for me in terms of what I want to go into (public health and East Asian studies). Stanford, on the other hand, wasn’t really on my radar until I got in. After visiting both schools, I preferred Hopkins for its “feel” (I’m having a hard time pinpointing specific reasons, I was just more comfortable on the JHU campus), but I ended up committing to Stanford because I felt like I couldn’t turn it down, if that makes sense. I ultimately feel like I chose Stanford because everyone I knew felt I should go there over Hopkins and people were impressed by the name/prestige, but now I regret it. I don’t want to sound ungrateful or snobby because I know I’m really lucky to have gotten into either school, let alone both, but what should I do? Should I see how my first year at Stanford goes or should I try to contact JHU to fix this now? Thank you!
“Should I see how my first year at Stanford goes or should I try to contact JHU to fix this now?”
I’d say prepare to do both. Call Hopkins right away and see what they say. I suspect it is too late, but who knows? Maybe they would love to “steal” a student from under the nose of mighty Stanford. But if it turns out that it’s too late for Hopkins then go ahead and enroll in Stanford and make the best of it. Work hard and earn good grades. Then if you still feel the same way after a year or two, transfer to Johns Hopkins. With a good record from Stanford it’s very likely they will take you.
You also can defer enrollment at Stanford for a year and reconsider your whole college list. You may find that you can define what you want and like better after taking a Gap Year.
The reality is probably that there is no one “right” college for a student, and that you could have a marvelous experience at either university; both are wonderful schools, and your experience largely will be due to what you bring to it and how you choose to interact with the opportunities available to you at the school.
Life is about making good on opportunities that are given to you. You made a commitment. Don’t pine for what might have been. You have all you need at Stanford to shine your brightest. Take advantage of that, and all S has to offer. You won’t be disappointed.
Many people second guess their decision. But the fact is that there are many right schools for everyone and there is no one college that will guarantee you that perfect experience. You have chosen Stanford for a reason, it is an outstanding school, and you should be able to find everything needed to have an amazing 4 year college experience there. It is time to stop looking in the rear view mirror.