Merli Desrosier writes about choosing the right college—one that’s affordable and where she’ll fit in.

Prompts for discussion and/or writing:

--If you are planning on college, how are you going to choose the right school for yourself? What are you looking for in a school? How do you plan on finding the information you need?

--When Merli visits a college, she feels out of place among the other students, who have more family support and money. Do you worry about feeling out of place in college? Why or why not? If so, what could you do to overcome those fears?

--What are your biggest worries about attending college? How do you plan on addressing those fears?

Group activity: Youth can work in pairs or in small groups. The groups should discuss their worries about getting into college and about succeeding there once they get in. Go around the room, list the concerns on the board, and discuss ways they can make the right college choices.