Misti Reynolds wrote a multigenre essay about her search for the right college. She discusses her high school experiences, visiting different colleges, and applying to schools. Misti was accepted to Ball State, IPFW, International Business College, IUPUI, and Purdue. After careful consideration of programs, location, finances, and her passion for teaching, Misti decides to attend Ball State University due to their strong teaching program.

1. My Search for the Right College By: Misti Reynolds Misti’s Search for the right college

2. Section One: High School: the years leading me to college In this section, I will give you an inside look on my final year in high school and what lead me to choosing college.

3. My Path of LifeIt is now time to say goodbyeTo the life of being a kidThe life without any worriesWith relying on my familyIt is time to start my futureTo take the path of lifeTo become what I want to beTime to rely on me and only meVisiting different collegesSpending hours on applicationsWriting essay after essayThen waiting for a responseTrying to figure out what I want to beWhich college is best for me?Also discovering who I amAnd the life I want for meLeaving high school with mixed feelingsWalking across the stage to a new lifeI hope that I am ready for thisReady to start my own life Goodbye high school Goodbye to my old friendsCollege here I come!Now all I have to do is pick one!

4. Misti’s Recipe for Success One meeting a month with guidance counselor (I wanted to do this to be sure I was on the right track) Four years of challenging high school classes One semester (1/2 a year) of cadet teaching at West View One to two hours of homework every night One to two additional hours of studying for tests (Study days vary among tests scheduled in a week) Five days a week of classes One day to walk across the stage *You must work hard and give 110% when it comes to your school education*

5. Misti’s graduation/open house invitation Every yesterday is a memory of dreams;Every tomorrow is a vision of hopesDelana & Jasen Ulmer, and Robert Sr. & Christina Reynoldsare proud to announcethe graduation of their daughterMisti Reynolds fromMuncie Central High SchoolYou are cordially invited to sharein their happinessat her open house on May 20, 2010 at 2:00pmat 8500 W. Cornbread Rd.Yorktown, Indiana Misti’s graduation will be June 1, 2010 at 7:00pm At Emens Auditorium on Ball State campus We hope that you will come And show your support And how proud you are Of our wonderful daughter And this special once in a lifetime moment

6. If You Believe Your diploma means a future without boundaries,a world that's full of energy and fun.So as you reach for all life has to offer,Remember that you're second to no one. Pursue your goals, yet keep your loved ones close,As you utilize your talent and ambition.Let your friends and family give you their support,And you'll master every challenging transition. And always, Misti, know you can achieveThe things you really want, if you believe.By Joanna Fuch

7. Section two:The Search Begins This section deals with my search for the right college for me. It gives details about some of the struggles I went through in order to be sure that I choose the right college. Choosing the right college can sometimes be difficult and challenging and indeed for me, it did take a lot of time and consideration before I made my decision.

8. When searching for colleges you will see many advertisements for the colleges. Below are some links to examples I encountered on the colleges I was searching. PURDUE UNIVERSITY Ball State example BUTLER International Business College College Advertising Example IPFW

9. Misti’s College Search: Do’s and Don’ts Do’s TAKE MORE THAN ONE COLLEGE VISIT RESEARCH YOUR CHOICES APPLY TO MULTIPLE COLLEGES KNOW THE DEADLINES MEET WITH ACADMEIC ADVISORS CHECK OUT PROGRAMS OFFERED MAKE LIST OF QUESTIONS TO ASK

10. Misti’s College Search: Do’s and Don’ts (Continued) Don’ts ONLY APPLY TO ONE COLLEGE APPLY AFTER DEADLINE GIVE YOURSELF TOO LITTLE TIME APPLY CAUSE OF SOMEONE ELSE SAY YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT

11. Misti’s College Choices 1. Ball State University2. International Business College3. Butler 4. Purdue5. IPFW6. IUPUI7. University of Florida

12. First check to see if they have the program(s) you’re looking for Do a little background research on the school Is the school size too big/too small for you? Is the location of the school good? Will the classroom size be too big/too small for you? Fill out application either online or in print Be sure to fill out the application as thoroughly as you can Be sure to check for application deadlines Give yourself plenty of time to write essays for the applications and for them to be submitted. Before submitting your application/essays, be sure they are completely filled out and accurate You may want to go over them a few times Have others like your parents look over the essays and applications as well Send in your applications and essays Make sure they look neat and are easy to read Wait to hear back from the college in which you applied While waiting for their response, be sure to continue looking into other colleges Continue to also fill out applications NEVER send just one application in because you might not get into that school Rules for Searching and Applying for College

13. Advice for those searching for the right college for themselves Even if you are not completely sure just what you want to go to college for, you should still apply to colleges you are interested in. You can still go to college and at least get your core classes out of the way. Taking core classes will take up most of your first two years anyway, so why wait when you can get those out of the way? They also have career counselors at most colleges that you could met with to help guide you to what you want to become. In addition, do not let others stop you from being what you want to be and going where you want to go. My mom told me many times that she did not think I could be a teacher. She told me she did not think I had the patience to deal with students who acted up and when I told her thatI wanted to do special education her doubts grew more. Due to all this lack of support from my mom, I almost went to a completely different school and picked a completely different career. To be honest, I was never interested in the career fielduntil I got college visits at school. One thing I have learned through this is to follow your heart and dreams. I realize I never would have been happy if I went to that other school and did a different major because it was not where my heart was. Do not let others influence your decisions. It is time to start thinking about you and putting yourself first. You have to do things for you not anybody else. Otherwise, if you go through this whole process trying to please everyone else you will end up being defeated. Look into different colleges. Take different college visit. Have a list of questions to ask. Take advantage of any opportunity in which you can explore the colleges. Apply to multiple colleges. Never only apply to one college. You may have your heart set on going to one certain college but there is always the chance that you will not get into that particular college. It is much better to have multiple college options than to have none at all. Be true to whom you are and what the desires of your heart are. College is a big deal. It is the next step in a better future. It is not something to be taking lightly. I assure you if you listen to your heart and follow your heart though you will make the right decision for your future. Sincerely, Misti D. Reynolds

14. More Advice for your search By: Benjamin Barker This is a link for a blog post I found written about searching for a college that will be very helpful http://topcollegesblog.com/are-you-sick-of-searching-for-the-right-college.html

15. The Final Decision Misti’s end to her college search Section three

16. Colleges I was accepted to Ball State IPFW International Business College IUPUI Purdue

17. To Whom It May Concern:Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. Being a teacher and making a difference in other student’s lives is my passion. I want to be a difference maker and a teacher. The only place that I can go to become that person is here at Ball State. The teaching program here at BSU is what I need to shape myself into the educator that I want to be. Being accepted into Ball State would mean the chance of a lifetime for me. It would mean that I have the chance to fulfill my dreams. Please help me to fulfill my dreams and become the person I want to be. I cannot do it without your school and the instructors at your wonderful university. Sincerely.Misti D. Reynolds

18. THE BIG DECISION Dear Diary,As you know, I have been struggling with the decision on what college is best for me. I have been accepted into various colleges. I have looked into different majors. I have checked out and thought about the financial part of college. Luckily, I have finally made my decision. I made this decision based on a number of things. First, I had to listen to my heart. I knew that more than anything I wanted to be a teacher. Going to school for anything other than teaching, I would have not been miserable. In addition, because I am paying for college on my own, I did take into account the financial aspect of it. This college is not only best financially for me but also for my major. Ball State is the college that I choose to go to. Not only is the college best for me financially but I feel also as if it is the best choice for my future. I want to be a special education and an elementary school teacher. When I looked into the other programs that other schools offered, I was disappointed. No other school that I looked into provided a teaching program that suited what I want to do for my future. Then I looked closer to Ball State. Ball State was founded on teaching. It is the best teaching college in Indiana. To make matters even better, Ball State offers the dual degree. I can go to Ball State and receive a dual degree. When I graduate from Ball State, I will have a degree as an elementary teacher as well as a degree as a special education teacher. I felt this is the school I belong at. This is the school God wants me to go to. This is the best school for my future and me.

19. Inspirational Quotes Find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. The purpose of primary education is the development of your weak characteristics; the purpose of university education, the development of your strong. ~NevinFenneman The future depends on what we do in the present. Education is not the end but is a success. To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act. From hard work comes great rewards. The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future.

20. Don’t Stress! You can do it! Choosing the right college can seem difficult and overwhelming but I promise that you can do it! So don’t worry. Look at this as a new adventure in your life

21. Genres that were used… Poem Recipe Invitation Do’s/Don’ts List Rules Advice Column Essay Diary Entry Advertisements Blog post Quotes/Sayings

22. Misti Reynolds’ Multigenre Essay Assignment Mr. Hartman’s 11:00am class English 103 My Future is looking very bright