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Since he was in middle school, Jared Buckler, now a senior at Memorial High School, knew he would not follow his three older sisters into college.

Jared, the youngest and the only boy, has always wanted to be a student at University of Texas, and not Texas State University-San Marcos like his sisters.

But Jared’s plans to attend college at UT were put on hold when he attended College Night at The Victoria College.

Before committing to his favorite university, Jared wants to be sure that UT is the best place to earn an engineering degree, he said.

“Prior to college night, I had only thought about UT for college,” Jared said.

His mother, Lynette, walked with him from table to table at College Night, an annual event sponsored by The Victoria College.

Jared was even teased by friends for stopping at the Texas A&M University table.

“I love UT but this is about my future,” he said.

Forty universities and colleges were in attendance to greet high school seniors, those interested in attending college and students preparing to transfer from VC.

“Deadlines for many universities are coming up and Jared, along with other seniors, need to get their applications for college in,” Buckler said.

The event helps because students are provided with a variety of universities and colleges to choose from, she said.

“College night makes the decision process a bit easier,” Buckler said. “Now my son has more information about the other schools and can base his decision on which school has the best program.”

Jared wants to be an engineer like his father and, since he will graduate this year, the pressure is on.

Along with hundreds of other students at the event, Jared met with representatives who all promoted their university as the right choice.

“I have so much information now and this will help me to make the right decision,” he said. “I’m even considering A&M, they have a good program.”

He and his mother signed cards of interest at the university tables they felt had good engineering programs, Jared said.

“This is one of the most important decisions he’ll have to make and we want to make sure he picks the right college,” Buckler said.

Jared is in the top one percent of his class and hopes to major in either civil or mechanical engineering.