It all started one fine March afternoon. After school I usually go straight home, but on this day I decided to take a detour to go get the mail. I don't know what compelled me to do this, because my mom always gets the mail. I guess I subconsciously knew what was awaiting me. I opened the mailbox and encountered a huge envelope. At first glance, all I could see were the words "UMASS Amherst" and the thick size of the envelope. This envelope was my golden ticket and, just like Charlie Bucket, as soon as I had it in my hand, I ran all the way home. Once inside the house, I ripped it open. Inside was a glossy red folder that held the letter. I actually kissed the folder before I opened it -- I wanted to thank it for holding the precious cargo.
The letter read: "Dear Anangie: Congratulations! It is with great pleasure that I write to tell you that you have been accepted to the University of Massachusetts Amherst."
I slowly reread the first lines about a million times. It took me a while to get past the "Congratulations!" Soon, I was jumping up and down and running around the living room. If anyone had been there with me at that moment, they would have thought I'd lost my mind! This was my first college acceptance! Come fall of 2013, I would not be homeless. I was ecstatic! I immediately called my mother to tell her the good news. "Guess what?" I said before screaming into the phone: "I GOT INTO COLLEGE!!" She told me to repeat what I'd said, and I did, over and over. "Oh my God!" she gasped, and I began my chant once again. I also called my best friend, and we both screamed. All my hard work has come to fruition. UMASS may not be my first choice, but I'm going to college!
This acceptance made me think about the future. College is the first major step in life after high school, and the anticipation is killing me. I never thought I'd say this, but I am ready to live in a closet-size dorm room and survive on Ramen. I want to know what my roommate will be like. Are we going to click or clash? Is she going to be a thorn in my side or my bridesmaid 10 years down the line? I can't wait to join clubs and write for the school newspaper and meet new people. And my classes: Will they be as big as 500 people or as small and intimate as 10? Will I study the history of rock 'n' roll or organic chemistry? The possibilities are endless! I applied to schools undecided about exactly what I want to do because I just don't know yet. Most colleges require you to declare a major during sophomore year, so luckily I have a while to decide. And now that I have my first acceptance, I really believe that everything else will just fall into place. I'm not so worried anymore.