For Nichols senior Paige Pilote, the college search wasn’t just about where she wanted to go, it was about where she wanted to be in five years. While it seems many college goers are chasing a name or a city they want to be in, Paige is chasing a head start.

This fall, Paige will attend Daemen University’s five-year Physician Assistant (PA) program, a choice shaped by both her long-term goals and a moment that brought those priorities into focus.

“I’ve always known I wanted to go into medicine,” Paige said. “But I didn’t know exactly what path I wanted to take.”

That path became clearer over time. After considering careers as a veterinarian and a doctor, she found the balance she was looking for in the PA profession: hands-on patient care with a more manageable lifestyle.

Daemen’s direct-entry program stood out immediately. Instead of the traditional route—four years of undergraduate study, often a gap year, and then three years of PA school for a total of eight years—this program allows students to complete everything in five.

This kind of strategic fit is the nature of Nichols’ college counseling program: fit, matching, and intentionality. By identifying accelerated pathways like Daemen’s, students like Paige are effectively buying back years of their lives, entering the workforce at a younger age while others are still in the classroom. 

Earlier this year, Paige’s perspective on the college process shifted. After her father had a serious health scare, staying close to home became an important part of the decision.

“I wanted to have at least one school close to home [on my list],” she said. “Just in case I needed to be there.”

It’s something Nichols Dean of College Counseling Kelly Jorgensen often emphasizes: there’s no single reason a school is the right fit. For some students, personal circumstances play just as big a role as academics, location, or campus life.

When Paige visited Daemen, everything clicked.

“It reminded me a lot of Nichols,” she said. “It’s small, close-knit, and that’s what I’m used to.”

That sense of community has defined her experience. A three-sport athlete and active member of campus life, Paige built connections across grades, teams, and extracurriculars, from being a field hockey standout to her work producing and editing the school’s podcast.

“I feel like I have friends in so many different groups,” she said. “You really get to know everyone.”

Balancing it all took discipline. Between practices, games, and travel, she missed plenty of class time, but learned quickly how to stay organized.

“Once you fall behind, it just keeps building,” she said.

Those habits will be essential in a program that mirrors the full-time schedule she's already been through. Paige knows what’s ahead will be demanding, but she’s ready for it.

“I like having a plan,” she said. “It makes me feel less stressed knowing where I’m headed.”

The transition will also feature a full-circle moment: a reunion with her best friend. After years at different schools since middle school, the duo will navigate the rigors of Daemen together, proving that staying local can at times provide a stronger support network than going away. It's truly different for every student.

“I’m really excited for that,” Paige said. “It’ll be nice to have someone there from the start.”

As she looks ahead, her advice to younger students is simple: focus on finding the right match.

“Find what actually fits you and your goals,” she said. “Not just the name of the school.”

For Paige, that meant choosing a path that saves time, supports her ambitions, and keeps her grounded in what matters most.

In five years, she’ll be ready to begin her career as a Physician Assistant—on a timeline and in a place that feels right for her.