News

Over spring break, 13 juniors joined North Shore Country Day’s college counseling team for the annual Bus O’ Fun trip, a weeklong adventure designed to help students explore a variety of college and university experiences. Led by Director of College Counseling Matt Mettille and College Counselor Kristen Kaczynski, this year’s group traveled through North Carolina and South Carolina, visiting 11 schools in just five days.

From large research universities like University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University to smaller liberal arts colleges like Davidson and Wofford, the trip exposed students to a broad spectrum of academic environments, campus cultures and student life. Along the way, they toured campuses — both formally and informally — met with NSCD alumni, spoke with current students, sampled dining hall food and soaked in the atmosphere of each school.

Students share their reflections on what they learned, what surprised them and how the experience shaped their thinking about the college search process.

What was the most valuable thing you learned about the college search process during the trip?

“I learned that it’s important to keep an open mind despite previous expectations.” — Nathan S. ’26

“I learned how different colleges feel in person compared to their online tour or photos.” — Anna C. ’26

“I recognized lots of similarities and differences between each school and learned how to weigh the pros and cons.” — Lexie S. ’26

How did your idea of what you’re looking for in a college change (or not) after this experience?

“I realized that smaller schools will be a much better fit for me. It’s very important for me to have professors that value me and are not just there to fulfill their own research.” — Annie F. ’26

“Seeing different types of campuses was very valuable in learning what I am looking for in a college experience and campus. It reaffirmed the size of school I [prefer] and what I would consider to be too small. ” — Dixie O. ’26 

“I learned that I am not really looking for a liberal arts school. I didn’t really know what that meant fully before, but now I know they don’t fit with what I am looking for.” — Michael M. ’26

What was one thing that surprised you or made you think differently about college?

“I learned that even small colleges are really big. The smallest college we went to was at least three times bigger than our school.” — Joshua L. ’26 

“I was extremely surprised when I first started feeling like I loved Elon. I never expected to actually like the school, and I didn't realize how easy it can be to find things to love in every school.” — Callie Z. ’26

“I learned that I actually liked schools in the South because when I was living in North Carolina I said I’d never come back, but now I might consider it.” — Alyssa H. ’26