Students Seek Out-Of-Idaho Experiences

Many Idaho students have their sights set on attending colleges outside Idaho.

But for most it’s not because they think out-of-state schools are better. It’s because they want to see what life is like out there.

“I want to broaden my horizons and have more experiences out of Idaho,” said Natasha Lavala, a Capital High School sophomore. “I think it would be good for me to go somewhere where I could have those experiences.”

Lavala was among an estimated 4,000 Treasure Valley students who attended the Boise National College Fair’s first day of activities Friday. She took time to study the materials at the booth for Loyola University in Chicago.

Recruiters from out-of-state colleges like Loyola say Boise students seem particularly interested learning about college options, especially those in other states.

“We find students here are very knowledgeable and very motivated to go out of state,” said Judy Becker, Loyola’s associate director of undergraduate admissions. “They have much more of a national focus than students do in some areas.”

Boise’s college fair drew representatives from nearly 100 colleges and universities across the country. Students also attended in droves. Many got out of class for the chance to learn more about the opportunities after high school.

Counselors say Boise students often have high hopes of getting out of town and away from their parents. But finances can cut into those dreams.

“A lot of kids investigate out-of-state schools and end up going, but a lot have a backup plan because of financial conditions,” says Boise High School career counselor Sue Carberry. “It gets down to decisions about scholarships and aid and the program of study they want.”

Close to 55 percent of Boise students attend college.