It’s finally that time of year where the majority of Dulaney High School seniors have decided on where they are going to college. While some seniors are staying in Maryland for college, others are traveling as far as Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts or even California. 

Senior Brooke Ellis may be traveling the farthest so far out of our Dulaney seniors, to University of California, Santa Barbara. Though there may be other seniors traveling west, UCSB is around 2,749 miles from Dulaney, meaning a 41 hour road trip or an eight hour flight away. 

“This year I focused mostly on school and I think I want to relax a little more and just enjoy the next chapter of my life. I am also excited to meet new people,” said Ellis.                    

Planning to major in biology as a pre-medical student, Ellis is eager to have this unique experience in California while enjoying the warm weather.

“I thought living in California would be an awesome opportunity and fun adventure for the next stage in my life,” said Ellis. 

With that also comes nerves, being in an entirely new environment far from home. Luckily, Ellis has plenty of family near the school and hopes to visit them often. UCSB has a quarter system with frequent breaks and a month-long winter break. Not only is this great for Ellis, but her parents benefit too.

“My parents would take any excuse to escape the cold,” said Ellis.

“This year I focused mostly on school and I think I want to relax a little more and just enjoy the next chapter of my life. I am also excited to meet new people,” said Ellis.

Ellis and many other seniors are excited to start this journey including traveling to new places, meeting new people and trying new things.