Cuesta College’s College Night took place on October 28th, creating the opportunity for high school students from all over the county to learn about different universities, specifically for community colleges, potential majors, and sports.

“I am excited to see what majors I would be interested in and get a better feel of what my life might be like in two years,” Eva Kerr (‘26) said.

The night included multiple seminars, such as “How To Choose Your Major,” “NCAA College Sports Recruiting and Scholarships,” “Unlocking Application Success,” “How to Pay For College,” and “How to Access Resources to Be a Successful First-Generation College Student.” These seminars aimed to educate students and their parents on college futures.

“The most important thing when making a huge life decision, [such as picking your college major], is to choose what you love and what makes you happy, then to find a way to make a living off of it,” Cuesta counselor Heidi Webber said.

Many students go into college undeclared, which is an excellent option for those still waiting to find what excites and interests them. However, there are many ways to find and select the proper major. 

“I recommend getting as much hands-on experience and exposure in as many fields as possible,” Cuesta counselor and advisor Matthew Fox said. 

Due to parental influence, burnout, or simply a lack of knowledge about potential careers, many students grow up with an idea or expectation of the limited fields and career opportunities available to them. This stresses the importance of putting oneself out there and utilizing individual experiences to determine major life decisions and highlight one’s significance. 

“We are looking for students who are well rounded, and can handle rough experiences and academic rigor,” said a college representative from UCSD. “We are interested in who students are outside of the classroom.” 

This advice illustrates the importance of extracurriculars, clubs, activities, part-time jobs, and community involvement outside of a typical academic setting.

“We’re not looking for one specific thing, every student is completely different,” UCSB Admissions Officer Jevon Edwards said. 

There is no single answer or outline to follow when applying for college, it is simply about what makes the school or major in question fit individual needs and desires. 

“What makes a student stand out is their individual personal experiences,” Edwards said. “What you’ve done in life, what lessons you’ve learned, and what makes you different.”

Applying to college is unique for every individual. While academics play an important factor, colleges want to see what makes a student stand out, making personal experiences and values one of the most important factors in a college application. 

College Night and its representatives provided important advice and input for many attending students, suggesting notable values for students to include on their applications, future classes, and many other future-related decisions, making it an accommodating and informational opportunity for all.