While the majority of seniors are choosing to stay in Virginia for post-secondary education, others have decided to venture out-of-state to colleges and universities elsewhere.

After Virginia, the most popular states in which seniors chose to attend colleges were New York and Pennsylvania, each with seven seniors. North Carolina will welcome six seniors to five schools.

One factor that influenced seniors’ decision to go out-of-state was to escape their comfort zone.

“I wanted to get out the NOVA bubble and explore new culture,” Monika Shayka, who will attend Temple University, said.

Noah Rubin, who will attend University of Delaware, has similar reasons for selecting his school.

“I wanted to experience a different environment and different types of people,” Rubin said. “Delaware has a different feel than Virginia.”

Other seniors opted for out-of-state options to take advantage of unique programs and opportunities offered at their schools.

“The study abroad program in Shanghai offers the highest level of Mandarin Chinese which will help me pursue my career in international relations,” Kenyah Calhoun, who will attend Washington University in St. Louis, said.

Anna Szima, future Montana State University Fighting Bobcat, also has a unique area of study that influenced her final decision.

“The school offers a program in equine science as well as a dietetics program, both of which I plan on studying,” Szima said.

Having great accommodations does not hurt either.

“[Washington University in St. Louis] also has the best dorms with Tempur Pedic beds and the fifth best food in the country,” Calhoun said.

Kacie Wolcott committed to East Carolina University after visiting the North Carolina school.

“I picked an out-of-state school because when I went to visit the campus I fell in love, and also ECU has a building construction program and that’s what I want to major in,” Wolcott said.

It was a no-brainer for Helen Slivinski to choose University of Colorado at Boulder after visiting the scenic area and meeting the school’s theater program director.

“The mountains are beautiful in Colorado,” senior Helen Slivinski said. “Their theater program is also amazing. I had anaudition with the theater program director and it was nice to meet alike people.”

For these seniors who have chosen to venture out-of-state, the new location provides chances to develop as a person during the next chapter of their lives.

“I’ve always loved traveling and I’m craving a new life experience,” Szima said. “I think that change of environment and lifestyle is a breath of fresh air and something that would really help me grow as a person. Montana is completely different than anything I’m familiar with here on the East Coast. It’s everything I want, all in one.”