As seniors begin to apply for colleges and look into their future after high school, many look at the price of education as a key factor in deciding where they will attend. The cost of college has risen dramatically over the past 30 years, forcing many to take on more student debt. In this video, first year college student Patty O’Leary weighs in on her options for higher education and how she has prepared for life after high school.

“There are certain things for certain situations. I have some friends who aren’t in the best situations and they got the help that they need, which is fantastic,” O’Leary said. “There’s some people who just fall through the cracks, and don’t really get as much help as I think they should be getting.”

Video by Emily Hood