Cost was the pivotal factor in senior Arielle Williams’ decision to attend Howard University next year.
“Everything about American was really calling my name from the campus to the classes to different teachers,” Williams said. “My mom wanted me to go to American, I wanted to go to American, but it was just too expensive.”
Williams is not alone. Cost of college was a factor in the ultimate college decision for 67 percent of seniors here, according to a pen-and-paper survey administered in all senior English classes in March. The survey yielded results from more than 350 of the school’s 494 seniors.
“I was originally planning on going to West Virginia University, but it would be over $40,000 per year for me,” senior Emily Bloodsworth said. “I decided to tour Salisbury just for fun and ended up falling in love with the school. It will save me over $15,000 per year.”
Senior and National Merit Scholarship finalist Julia Clark is attending University of Maryland next year on a full Banneker/Key scholarship.
“Maryland wasn’t my first choice, but I’d much rather go to school for free,” Clark said.
The survey showed that 58 percent of students will be attending their top choice school.
Senior Emily Linhard knew Clemson University was her first choice but was initially deferred. She appealed the decision.

It was worth the extra effort, Linhard said.
“I had to write an essay and send in three recommendation letters, and then wait another month to hear the final decision,” she said. “I ended up getting in on the appeal and it was the most exciting feeling I’ve ever had in my life.”
The percentage of students going to community college has ticked down to 11 percent this year compared to 17 percent last year.
“I will be going to community college next year in order to get my bachelor’s degree in just three years and then I plan to go to UMD after,” senior Adam Martin said. “In today’s society, it is a necessity to have a degree if you want to be successful in the work force.”
As they move forward with their college decisions, 58 percent of students said they felt prepared. For 69 percent of students, the block schedule has better prepared them for college-style classes. This is a significant improvement from the 52 percent of students who shared this sentiment in 2015 at the start of the block schedule.
Among the survey’s other findings:
An increase of 3 percent from last year, 31 percent of seniors say they enjoy recreational reading.
When asked to rate their levels of optimism for the future, 73.2 percent reported high levels of optimism, a decrease from last year’s 77.5 percent.

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