From the halls of Greater Latrobe to the ivy-covered tower of the Cathedral of Learning, this is the road on which Ava Krehlik has made her first tentative step. Taking with her a passion for children, Ava hopes to focus on a vocation of care. “I am going to the University of Pittsburgh. I am going to study nursing with dreams of becoming a pediatric nurse.”
In high school Ava took classes like human body systems, anatomy, and the Allied Health Internship. All of these classes helped set her up for college and find what she is truly passionate about, which is nursing school.
Ava had other options such as Carlow, IUP, RMU, and Duquesne, but Pitt won out and now Ava is a proud Panther. “When I took a tour of Pitts Nursing program, I instantly fell in love. Pitt has an excellent nationally-ranked nursing program that made it clear that I would get the best education there.”
But college is not all about learning, it is about finding a fertile soil in which to grow and thrive. For Ava, that means residing on campus and experiencing dorm life. The senior said, “I enjoyed the atmosphere a lot more than the other schools I was looking at too, mainly because of the city and the opportunities it offered.”
This decision was also guided by those around her. “My family supported me with whatever decision I made while guiding me with things like financial costs and goals,” she said.
She looks forward to getting the full college experience and being independent by rooming in a dorm on campus. She is going the way most college students choose to go. This is the first time experiencing real independence and how to live life self-reliantly. Krehlik is deciding to stay in state to go to college but this didn’t play too big of a factor due to her wanting to stay in state based on some of her other college options.
As her peers at Greater Latrobe begin making college and vocational decisions, Ava offers this bit of insight. “My advice for college decision making is to submit an early application because it could increase your chances of getting in and will give you more time to prepare for your future.” Ava submitted an early decision and due to that she was able to plan accordingly.
The senior year of high school is bittersweet. Transitioning into adulthood, and many dear friends made along the way will be strangers this time next year. But going to college is also taking on the opportunity of realizing your dreams and aspirations. Like any journey, there is trepidation and anxiety. But Ava’s journey is about to begin.
