Just a little more than two years ago, I returned to the U.S. after serving 27 months in South America as a Peace Corps volunteer. During that time, this country was in the middle of the largest recession since the Great Depression. I knew I could either enter the workforce as an underemployed, underpaid subordinate, or go back to school, further my education, and do my best to avoid those limitations. As a result, I applied to both Southern Polytechnic State University and Kennesaw State University . Both fit my geographic requirements and both were offering the degree I was after. Weeks later, I was accepted to both, but I did not know which school I favored. So I did what any rational person in my situation would do: I looked at my options holistically and weighted the pros and cons of each university.
SPSU has many, many appealing collegiate amenities that I took into consideration when deciding. First and foremost, I was impressed by the structure and quality of the academic programs. For example, SPSU’s school of architectural construction management emulates California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo’s curriculum (my alma mater), and I know firsthand that San Luis Obispo’s architectural program is rated top five in the nation. By this fact alone, one can see the ambitions SPSU has for providing their students with the best educational experience available—even if that means going outside of the college for inspiration. Secondly, I was drawn to the small, tightly woven student body. Currently, SPSU has just more than 6,000 students (a small increase from two years ago) and a fully functional, thriving student government. Overall, I knew SPSU could provide me with a top-notch education, many extracurricular activities, and a strong social community. Though I am unable to enumerate all the positive amenities, I can say that what the college offers is impressive.
And then there is KSU. The first thing that took me by surprise was the enormity of the student body. With enrollment reaching nearly 25,000 students, I felt overwhelmed
at first, but I began to think about the positive effects a large student body might offer compared to a smaller one. First, I concluded that more students equals more money for the school, and the more money a school has . . . well, the more opportunity there is for growth, modernization, and resources. Currently, KSU is the third largest university in Georgia. The college recently announced a football team that will be part of the Big South Conference. These facts, just rumors then, started to convert me away from the benefits of a smaller school because I had a realization: step outside the state of Georgia and it will be hard to find someone who has heard of either KSU or SPSU; however, mention a larger school such as Georgia Tech or Georgia State, and almost everyone will nod his or her head in recognition. Plain and simple, when I go to look for a job, I will have a better chance of getting the job if the employer has heard of the college I attended. Right now, SPSU and KSU, in my opinion, receive roughly equal acknowledgement; however, due to KSU’s exponentially growing reputation, I started to think I would have a leg up. Of course, I didn’t neglect to consider scholastic standing or extra-curricular activities offered by KSU either. Though SPSU’s curriculum is more technical based for a reason, I couldn’t help but notice the spectrum of programs offered by KSU and the recognition their programs were gaining. The WellStar nursing program at KSU is the largest in Georgia, and the Michael J. Coles College of Business MBA program is near the top 20 in the nation among public universities. Even though the program I was enrolling in was not as acclaimed as some of the others, I thought that maybe if my program of study was surrounded by the more recognized and acclaimed programs, then I could benefit from their success by association alone.
Ultimately, I chose to enroll at KSU because of the college’s growing potential. As I walk around campus today, I can’t help but notice the once foreseen potential taking shape in the form of new buildings such as the Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art and the Student Recreation and Activities Center, academic expansions including new undergraduate programs and graduate programs, and I also notice an evolving sense of pride amongst the student body with every collegiate addition. The college is becoming better, and I hope with the SPSU and KSU merger, both colleges will excel as a single entity by embracing each other’s strengths and potentials.
Mark Leszczynski, Senior
English Major
