“What is Stony Brook University?” I said, as I read through my emails after a college showcase. As I was about to delete the email from the school I‘d never heard of, my mother stopped me. Her and my father both told me that I should never write off a school that showed any interest in me. In the email the head coach of the Stony Brook University women’s soccer team told me that he had seen me play at the college showcase tournament the past weekend. He gave me an overview of the university and said to call him so that we could discuss my possible future at their schoolr I really did not want to call him. I had never heard of the school and I thought that I needed a much prestigious school that would be impressive to everyone After a lecture from my parents I decided I would call the coach and hear what he had to say. After talking to him for a good twenty minutes, I came to the realization that this school could be everyone I ever wanted.
He had told me that the school was in New York, just thirty minutes away from New York City. He told me that they had my major: pre-dental. He told me that I would be playing on their soccer team with a scholarship, and lastly he told me I could come for a visit as soon as I’d like. After he had sparked my interest so quickly, I told my parents that I had to go! After my visit I knew that this was the school I wanted to go to. In the back of my head I was still concerned with what everyone else would think. I had offers from other schools such as Cornell, the University of Virginia, and Wake Forest. What would people think, what would my parents think if I chose a school that I believed no one had ever heard of?
After the Stony Brook coach made me a scholarship offer, I told him that I would get back to him within the next month. I knew that it was the school I wanted to go to and I knew it was the right place for met I went on other visits to more schools, but none of them compared to the “at home” feeling I got at Stony Brook’s campus. Once the month had passed I knew it was time for a decision, I had to choose between Cornell and Stony Brook. Cornell had many perks, as did Stony Brook. The only difference was that Cornell is ivy. Ivy league schools are not able to make athletes scholarship offers, With a “full ride” offer from Stony Brook and all the pros I could think of for a college, I knew that this would be my choice As I called the Stony Brook coach on that February morning I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I knew my decision was a life changing one.
As he answered the phone with his enthusiastic “hello“, I knew I was making the right decision, I said, “Hello Coach Steve this is Lexi, I was calling to let you know that I have come to a decision and I would like to accept your offer to attend Stony Brook,” After his congratulations and excitement for my own commitment I hung up the phone and sat in my room I could still hear the sound of his voice as he said; “We are so excited to have you as our newest Seawolf!” As I sat on the foot of my bed I pondered my decision I had no emotions about the decision, except joyful ones I knew that I would never regret this decision, and to this day I am happy that I chose Stony Brook University. Every day I look forward to my future life in New York, studying the major I’ve always looked for, and playing NCAA Division 1 one soccer at an amazing school.
