On your own for the first time

"I want to learn what it’s like to be on my own. It’s time for me to have a little independence. I see going away to college as starting another phase in my life, a more mature phase. It is the beginning of new adventures, new friends and new learning experiences." Albert, 18

"Moving away from home … can be difficult for anyone. I am further challenged physically, socially and mentally…. Some of my physical difficulties limit the social activities I would like to participate in." Ryan, 19

"When I am old and gray, I would like to look back on my life and be proud of my successes and accomplishments. In order to achieve these accomplishments, I feel that college is a necessary step. College is important to me because it signifies many things in life. College marks the beginning of my life as an individual, the first time I will not have my family in the next room to rely on. It also marks the beginning of something that I once thought I may not live to see, my adult life." Caitlin, 17