This is part of our monthly series 'Mission: Accepted,' in partnership with Minds Matter, which chronicles the lives of four students as they apply for college in their senior year.
I've submitted my college applications, sent in my financial information and gone through the interview process. So what's next? The waiting game begins!
I applied to Harvard early action and all my other schools regular decision. Under the early action program, I was not permitted to apply early anywhere else. I decided to apply early to Harvard because of my experience attending their summer school program. I took a class called Mathematical Models and Expressions that dealt with statistics, algebra and calculus. I really liked the professor -- he was very patient and clear. What I learned in the course helped me the following year in my honors pre-calculus class. Then, while I was applying to colleges, I went back for an overnight stay and fell in love with the atmosphere and the people. The student I stayed with reminded me of myself. She spoke excitedly about the constitutional law class she was taking, taught by a lawyer who had taken a case all the way to the Supreme Court. Now that's pretty cool!
On December 13, I received an email from Harvard with their admission decision. It read, "The Committee on Admissions has completed its 2012 early action meetings. After careful discussion, we were unable to take a definite action on your application and have deferred making a decision at this time." I was jumping for the moon when I read that. Honestly, I expected a flat-out rejection. Harvard is one of the top schools in the country -- incredibly hard to get into. (I checked online, and the rate of admission is a tiny 6 percent.) Because of my fear of rejection, I've kept the fact that I applied there on the down-low; I haven't wanted to get my hopes up or be subject to a pity party from friends and teachers. But the fact that Harvard had deferred me told me that they saw something in me they liked. Now I am counting the days until I receive their final decision. My fingers are crossed!
Regular decision admission results don't come until mid-April, and I'm feeling really anxious. I want April to hurry up and arrive! I applied to 12 schools, so my mailbox is going to be filled to the brim. I'm excited to find out who accepts me -- and dreading the rejection letters. I applied to several schools in Massachusetts -- including Boston College, Williams and Smith -- as well as several out of state, like Bowdoin, Georgetown and Brown. I can't tell you right now exactly which one I'd go to if I got in. I'm waiting until I receive all my letters to make that decision.
Along with acceptances comes financial aid information. College is getting more and more expensive, so it is important that I apply for multiple scholarships. While I nervously await my admissions letters, I'm busy filling out scholarship applications. Just when I thought I was done with apps, another round arrives. So far I've submitted one application -- for a Best Buy scholarship -- and I am also applying for one awarded by the League of United Latin American Citizens, as well as others for Hispanic students. Also on my mind is schoolwork. Even though I'm almost done with high school, the work is piling up and the days are moving so slow. I just want to go to college already! I want to walk through the quad, make my own schedule and be freed from the grasp of teenage angst. I want to listen to a lecture by a world-renowned scholar. I want to study abroad in Paris and drink café au lait.
But alas, I'm still a high school senior.