About a year ago, I received two emails within minutes of each other.

I opened both, my breath held and my heart in my throat.

They were acceptance letters: one from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and one from Fresno State.

Ultimately, I made a choice that I am pleased with today.

Here are some of the reasons that I am glad to have chosen Fresno State over UCLA.

First, at Fresno State I have access to my professors that I believe I never would have had at UCLA.

I have formed friendships with them that will last for the rest of my time here, and perhaps beyond.

At UCLA, I would have been one face in a sea of faces. One person in a crowd of people.

I have no doubt here that I will be able to get personal recommendations for graduate schools and jobs, but at UCLA this would have been nearly impossible.

Second, Fresno State fosters a warm atmosphere.

It’s not uncommon to hear faculty and staff say that they have been here for 15, 20 or 30 years, and the reason that they stay is because this is a good place to be at.

The people here are supportive of one another.

I am never afraid to ask for help when I need it, and speaking of which, the tutoring area in the library is awesome and worth a visit.

I hope that this will reach current high school seniors unsure about their college choice.

Go ‘Dogs!