Words of Wisdom Magazine 1 | Page 21

The voluntary test measures the ability of a student to analyze and evaluate information, solve problems, and communicate effectively. “Plymouth State’s CLA+ value-added score, which compares the average scores of freshmen and seniors in a given year, was 2.02, far ahead of the next-closest college, Western Carolina University, at 0.99” (Hayward 01). No matter how prestigious a school is, all that really matters for a student is what they can take away from it. Plymouth students are rich in critical thinking and will be the ‘golden egg’ among applicants in an interview after graduation.

When I applied to college, I only applied to five, all of which were local to my hometown (Bedford, NH).

To my father’s delight, I was accepted to every single college I applied to. “Maybe we should have had you apply to more schools,” he joked. As much as parents say they don’t want to influence you to pick a particular school over the rest, I knew my father favored Plymouth. He graduated from this school many years ago and is very successful today. I followed his footsteps and haven’t regretted it once. Without any intention, I declared the same major as he once did. I continue to learn inside the classroom, and out as I am shaping myself into the man I want to be. Plymouth State University is and always will be home to me.

Work Cited: Hayward, Mark. “Plymouth State Leads in National Test of Critical-Thinking Improvement | New Hampshire.” UnionLeader.com, 7 June 2017.