When it comes to picking a college, many seniors stick to the popular paths: UNC-Chapel Hill, N.C. State, or ECU. But for seniors Lucia West, Zach Kerner, and Maddie Blackburn, the journey after high school is taking a different turn. These seniors have chosen colleges that stand out from the typical list, and they each have a story that proves following your own path is worth it.

“I’m going to Providence College in Rhode Island to run track,” said West with a smile. “It’s not the school you hear about a lot at Gibbons, but the moment I stepped on campus, I felt like I belonged.”

West first heard of Providence through track. 

“Honestly, I didn’t know much about it until I started talking to coaches. Once I visited, it was everything I wanted, a small campus, tight-knit community, and a team that felt like a family,” she said.

 Her decision surprised a few people at first. 

“Most of my friends were like, ‘Where’s that?’” she laughed. “But my parents were super supportive. They told me to go where I think would be best for me, not just where everyone else is going.”

Kerner, who’s heading to the University of Albany to play Division I lacrosse, had a similar experience. 

“I didn’t even know where Albany was when they first reached out,” he admitted. “But then I looked into the school and the lacrosse program, and I knew that was where I wanted to go.” 

For Kerner, UAlbany stood out because of its strong lacrosse reputation and the balance between academics and athletics. 

“It’s different, but I didn’t want to just follow the crowd,” he said.

Choosing a college that’s not as well-known locally came with some doubts. 

“There were times I wondered if I should just go to a school everyone knew,” said Kerner. “But at the end of the day, I wanted a place that felt right for me.”

Blackburn, a senior planning to attend High Point University, also made a choice that surprised some of her classmates. 

“When I told people, a lot of them didn’t know anything at all about High Point,” she said. “But for me, it was about the vibe and the opportunities. The school just stood out to me.”

What drew Blackburn to High Point was its focus on education and personal growth. 

“If you’re paying that much money, you are there for the education. For me, there is no football or no typical SEC college experience. I am there because I want to be the best I possibly can be.” she explained. “It made me feel like they care about who I’ll become, not just what grades I’ll get.”

All three students say they’re excited for what lies ahead and they believe their unique choices will help shape them in the best ways.

“Being at a smaller school in a new state will push me out of my comfort zone,” said West. “I’ll meet people from all over and learn how to really be independent.”

“I think going somewhere different will present many opportunities, I wouldn’t have found otherwise. It forces you to grow and get out of your bubble,” Kerner said.

Even though the decision wasn’t always easy, each student encourages others to be brave when it comes to choosing their own college path. 

“Don’t be afraid to pick what’s right for you, even if no one else is going there,” said Blackburn. “It’s your life.”

West added, “Trust yourself. You know which school will help you grow. And don’t settle just because it’s the popular choice.”

“If I could sum it up,” said Kerner, “I chose UAlbany because it felt like where I was meant to be. That’s all that matters.”

Each of these seniors proves that college doesn’t have to be the same for everyone. By following their hearts—and a little bit of courage—they’re starting a journey that’s fully their own. 

Thanks to information provided by College Counseling, here are some other more niche colleges that seniors from the graduating classes of 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 have chosen.

• University of Mount Olive
• Belmont Abbey College
• Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
• Saint Mary’s College
• Barton College
• Lenoir-Rhyne University
• Elizabeth City State University
• University of Southern Maine
• Perkiomen School PG Year
• Santa Fe College
• University of Oklahoma
• Texas Christian University (TCU) 
• University of Central Florida (UCF) 
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
• Prescott College
• Rollins College
• Stetson University
• Catholic University of America 
• Seton Hall University
• Roger Williams University
• University of Rhode Island
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California 
• Norwich University
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 
• Rhodes College
• Roanoke College
• Lawrence University
• Newberry College
• Flagler College
• Denison University
• Dickinson College
• Franciscan University of Steubenville
• Drexel University 
• Hobart and William Smith Colleges
• Gonzaga University 
• University of Vermont
• University of Utah
• University of Lynchburg
• Wofford College