There are 895 students enrolled in Greenbrier East High School, and 214 members of the class of 2026 will graduate on May 30. Each graduate will go their own way to pursue their own dreams. The question is: Of those whose next steps include college, how many plan to attend out of state? Many seniors seem eager to leave our small town in West Virginia, but are they truly going to?
One student, Emily McClure, who is an avid student athlete and Student Government Member, gave her college decision story.
“My top choices were West Virginia University, Marshall University, and James Madison University,” McClure said. “I also applied to smaller in-state schools.”
James Madison University is in Virginia, so it was an out-of-state option, but McClure ultimately decided on West Virginia University, despite having a fondness for James Madison University’s campus.
“I spent a week at WVU’s Governor’s Honors Academy,” McClure said. “I really liked their business college.”
McClure has decided against out-of-state for a few reasons, including higher tuition fees and fewer scholarship opportunities. These issues cause many students to remain in West Virginia for their college experience.
Many factors come into play when choosing a perfect college for yourself. Is the campus attractive and easy to navigate? How much are tuition and fees? What courses are offered? What is the travel time to visit home? These questions weigh heavily on seniors’ minds, putting a lot of pressure on them. Still, no matter if the students in the class of 2026 stay in state or go out of state, they are sure to achieve great things.
