In Retrospect... (Rather Long.. Okay, there's no rather about it.. it's LONG)

Parents Forum
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<p>First off, I'd like to thank all of the parents of College Confidential. I was scanning through all of the RD decisions in the Parents' RD post and saw my name on there. I was thinking to myself, "My mom posts on CC?" Then I realized I was added as a "e-child." I'm very grateful, and humbled. I feel as if I am indebted to every one of the parents here for such wonderful advice and the support that I know I would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. </p>

<p>I must admit, my pre-HS background isn't pretty. I was a pretty lousy student in middle school, I think my GPA floated somewhere around 1.7-2.2 in middle school. But that was middle school. I kicked myself in the butt and told myself I had to shape up, and I saw high school as a sort of a second chance. </p>

<p>And I tried, to the best of my ability, to shape up. I studied for all of my classes. I took college classes at night in order to keep my scholastics at tip-top shape. But I'm not perfect.. (no one is..) I made the mistake of burning myself out too fast and stopped taking college classes late-2004. (I started early-2002.) I kept myself on Honor Roll all four years of high school and with the exception of my first semester in HS, I kept my GPA floating above 3.5. </p>

<p>Oddly enough, college wasn't on my mind until shortly before I joined CC.</p>

<p>A long time ago (okay, just last year), I somehow stumbled on the website known as College Confidential while doing my college search. A friend of mine handed me a copy of the Yale Insider's Guide to Colleges, and I immediately was intrigued. I had just taken my first SAT in May, and was avidly looking at colleges and universities all over the U.S.</p>

<p>It was then that reality set in -- as I began to view the threads on CC, I immediately became depressed. I saw "what it took" for my dream school, Georgetown. It was a month after decision time, but I looked at past threads, and saw students with 14, 15, and even 1600s being turned away and accepted to Georgetown. But naive as I was, I promised myself I'd make myself the "different" applicant, and that I'd be unique. </p>

<p>I learned later on that although the minute details of my "profile" -- the components which would make me a viable candidate for college -- were different, I was just like every other applicant. I was full of hope, and assured that I would get into my first choice. </p>

<p>I saw my first SAT I score -- 1320. I thought, hey, it's an all right score, but I logged on College Confidential and hit a depressing slump. What I thought was an above-average 1320 quickly turned into a morale-killing, below-average score. That was then.. I'm not so quick to jump to these sort of thoughts anymore. Anytime I see a higher SAT score, I think to myself, "They prepared more than I did." Which was probably true.. I was too deeply involved with my extracurriculars and such to try to study for the SATs.</p>

<p>As soon as Georgetown's application was e-mailed to me mid-May, I went straight to work. However, it took me five months to ** finish ** the application, and even at the last minute, I was disappointed with the essays, redoing one 30 minutes prior to sending the package via Express Mail to Georgetown. On the same note, I had a sort of "tunnel-vision" that prevented me from seeing that there were other colleges out there. I regret this, as I should have paid more attention to my application to other colleges and universities.</p>

<p>One thing I regret is applying to too many safeties. I applied to most of my state universities (not the University of California, but the Cal States) -- I needed some form of safety net. I also applied to Purdue and Auburn -- two fantastic universities that were my safeties, but the prospects of me actually attending were slim. </p>

<p>Going off on a tangent here. Come October, I received my first "major" acceptance -- the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor had just accepted me. I thought to myself, "At least you have a good school to go to just in case no one else takes you in." I was still waiting for Georgetown though. I spent months reviewing and revising essays with my teachers and my guidance counselor in order to have it "perfect." I highlighted my best points -- my interest in international politics, my personal connection to a current international event (NK/SK relations) and my desire to serve. </p>

<p>School aside, it was a really tumultuous time for me personally. I got together with my (now) ex-girlfriend in June, and broke up in August. She'd been on my mind for quite a while, and so my priorities became skewed. I also had ROTC; we had major inspections and competitions coming up. Suddenly, I had a little too much on my plate. </p>

<p>December came around. During the nice, frosty month of November (while I was at Bowdoin, no less) I made a telephone call to my then-girlfriend, now-ex-girlfriend, and we made up over the phone.. (nothing like the chilly 0 degree Maine weather to rekindle a warm relationship.. my cell phone wouldn't work inside..) .. So here I was, visiting my then-girlfriend at her school, when suddenly the call came from my mom. "The envelope from Georgetown is here." Oh boy, I rushed home, went to the foyer where we leave all of our mail, quickly opened the letter and read the words of deferral. My heart had sunk to depths unknown; I felt ** horrible. ** I wrote a heartfelt letter in an attempt to try and reverse the deferral, but I kept my chances close at heart..</p>

<p>Christmas drew near, and I wasn't completely without hope. Notre Dame had accepted me! So there was something to celebrate about! It was great! Of course, Korean parents aren't well acquainted with the reputation of ND and UM, but of course I was one to quickly acquaint them with it. Then came the acceptance from Case Western, and the start of the new semester. During my vacation, my mom told me to go on over-drive and apply to the colleges she wanted me to apply to -- the Ivies, etc. To be honest, I wouldn't have been as happy at the Ivies as I would have at Georgetown.</p>

<p>It was this pressure from my parents that had me apply to a variety of colleges. I had my reasons for applying to each one; I didn't randomly pick off of USNWR rankings. Still, it seemed as if my choices were wildly erratic. Despite taking heat from a few people (some from CC) I kept going.</p>

<p>To be honest, I don't know how I survived. It was a lot of work, but in the end, I wouldn't trade the experience for the world. I know for next time (is there ever a next time) not to make the same mistakes again. </p>

<p>It was now February, and I had broken up with my then-girlfriend again. She ditched me in the middle of a JROTC version of Prom, and so I just went into a slump again. Mid-month, however, I received a letter from Vanderbilt. I remember thinking to myself, "Oh great, they rejected me this early? Naah. It's probably the university asking for some supplementary materials." I opened the letter, it was an invitation to the college's MOSAIC program and an early-write! Oh man, was I excited. </p>

<p>I couldn't go, unfortunately, the MOSAIC program conflicted with an encampment for JROTC. February and March passed on uneventfully, except with one occasion where Professor Anthony Lake from GU SFS came down to give an address on the Silent National Security Threats. He was a great speaker! I mean, incredible! Talking about swallowing duck feet in a Chinese state dinner for "the good of the country" while Dean Gallucci tried to hide his duck feet inside a napkin -- now * that * is a good professor. I have a copy of the transcript of the session, if anyone wants to see the full joke. :P...</p>

<p>It was mid-March. I was preparing for my encampment, when I saw a huge envelope from Williams. The cover read: "Likelihood this big purple folder means what you think it does: 100%." Williams gave me an early-write, which I found amazing, considering my less-than-extraordinary profile. </p>

<p>Still, Georgetown was on my mind.</p>

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<p>I forgot to mention that I went on a scholarship trip to the Presidential Inauguration under Presidential Classroom -- an organization called the Freedom's Foundation paid for my entire trip, minus airfare. The event was hosted at Georgetown's Marriott Center, and catching a glimpse of the campus was simply -- breathtaking. Especially with the beautiful snowfall and the campus covered with white dust -- simply amazing. Made me fall in love with the school all the more.</p>

<p>However, I prepared myself to go somewhere else -- I knew the odds against me being accepted as a EA deferee. I thought of myself at Williams, at Vanderbilt, at Notre Dame -- but couldn't quite picture myself "at home" as I would have at Georgetown. Nevertheless, I had to face facts: only a very small percentage of deferees were accepted under RD, and out of that pool, an even smaller pool was accepted into the SFS program. Things seemed hopeless.</p>

<p>Looking at the first round of RD acceptances wasn't healthy for me either. The EA deferees who I became well-acquainted with were rejected in the end, or waitlisted. Some of the people I knew began to lose faith. My GC began to lose faith -- and told me to go prepare myself for somewhere else. I saw 1400s and 1500s being waitlisted and rejected, and sighed to myself and decided to just keep holding tight.</p>

<p>A friend of mine who I met through CC, pixiedanzer told me that her denial letter from GU had arrived Saturday. (We became well-acquainted with each other after being deferred under the EA program.) I knew then that my GU response had to be in the mail Monday. Because my mom's work schedule has changed since my EA response, I knew I would be the first to see. (Pixiedanzer lives 40 minutes out from where I live..)</p>

<p>* Here's the point by point that I owe all of the parents here on CC.. *</p>

<p>I went to school Monday morning thinking to myself, "Oh great. Here it comes. I wonder what the letter says? Oh god. What if they rejected me. That'll stink." I'm an aide to my guidance counselor and I was wokring on compiling AP data -- boy, I couldn't concentrate on compiling the AP test order while waiting for that letter. All I thought was Georgetown, Georgetown, Georgetown. </p>

<p>I knew from CC that * very * qualified applicants had been denied admission. I knew my chances were slim. Still, nothing kept me from running home, opening the outside gate to our house, feeding the dog quickly, going to the foyer where we keep our mail, and getting all of the letters, running up to my room, dropping everything, and looking at the first envelope. It read "Office of Admissions" -- from Georgetown, of course.</p>

<p>I opened the letter.. and I saw this..</p>

<p>
[quote]
It gives me great pleasure to inform you that the Committee on Admissions has voted to accept your application for admission to Georgetown University.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>My goodness, I felt like screaming at the top of my lungs. You know what was the first thing I did? I called one of the teachers that recommended me and told her I was accepted. She was screaming and overjoyed that I got in! Then I called all of my close friends and .. well, let them know the good news. Then I waited for my parents to get home, and my mom was elated! She too had seen the results of the CC GU RDers (my my, the acronyms!) and well.. she grew a little depressed too.. But we were elated, and excited beyond words when we saw the admissions letter! </p>

<p>By the next morning, everyone in my high school had heard that I was accepted -- remarkable. I am the first applicant from the recent history of my high school (as far back as my counselor can remember, and he's been there since the 70s..) to be accepted to and matriculating to Georgetown. Our school is.. well, academically .. in need of improvement, and for the administration who's been hearing constant complaints from the district, parents, and others to improve the quality of the school, the news of my Georgetown acceptance was a .. well, a good thing.. They knew how much I loved the school and they were overjoyed when they had heard..</p>

<p>Oh, I forgot to mention.. on Valentine's Day, there was a feature article on me and my ROTC unit in a major Korean-American newspaper, the Korean Central Daily. It's a major figure in the Korean-American community, and well, in the education section, my picture was there.. There was an article and at the end.. it read.. "This [cadet Colonel] aspires to enter into Georgetown University." :) I was almost tempted to have it translated and have it sent in..</p>

<p>I still have some financial aid kinks to work out, but I can assure you, I will be going, no matter how big the bullet I have to bite is.. (okay, I'm not going to try and bite a round of bazooka ammo, but.. you get the picture.. lol).. Now I'm fussing over what every normal senior should be fussing over.. you know, Prom and the like.. :).. We finish school in a month, thanks to our school's irregular year-round system, and I have a term paper to finish!</p>

<p>I'd just like to make some final thanks.. all of the parents here at CC.. You have been simply, truly ** amazing! ** Obviously, I can't offer advice to those who already have it.. but I feel the best way I can repay my debt to you is to help those in the future with the college application process.. I'm already working with our school's junior valedictorian and others in the junior class to prepare them for college -- so they can transition into the process easier.</p>

<p>My dream would have been impossible without the help of the parents who have been supportive -- and who have taught me that there is a world beyond what I am able to see.. (looking beyond Georgetown, that is..) I guess I can consider myself one of the fortunate ones; being accepted to the school that I call my "dream school." I honestly would like to do something to show my appreciation, but there are sooo many parents to thank, I'm afraid I might miss one!</p>

<p>Not only the parents, but my friends/acquaintances here on CC. They kept the hope burning -- and well, were a part of my support network along with the parents. </p>

<p>It seems as if I feel a sense of family and camaraderie here on CC. I mean, I've been on many Internet forums -- but I felt a connection whenever something involving the parents here on CC happened. I remember when I first read about Soozievt's daughter and immediately began praying for her safety and her recovery. I remember smiling in joy when I saw the acceptances of the S or D of each of the parents here on CC. It's amazing. I first saw CC as a place to randomly discuss college admissions, but I found a sense of family here... </p>

<p>Now that it's over, I'm glad to say, I'm relieved. It's not over yet (I've yet to graduate and such).. but this phase of my life has passed (the College Admissions phase..) .. I will never forget CC -- especially the parents. Without your words of wisdom, your constant support, and your words of encouragement -- I don't know how I would have passed through all of this. </p>

<p>I may have been the applicant presenting myself to the admissions committee; but it was with the support and input of the parents and the wonderful people here on CC that allowed me to truly express who I was -- especially on the application which very few are able to express themselves thoroughly. It is this support that gave me the confidence to drive forward, and placed me where I am today.</p>

<p>As I've said before, I don't know how I will ever pay back my debt to everyone here on CC. </p>

<p>Despite the .. rather long-winded post I've just made.. two words sum up everything I've just said:</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

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<p>Your story is amazing</p>

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<p>Oh, Andrew!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>You, my dear, are destined for success! You are so very bright and insightful. I simply cannot express in words how very thrilled I am that you have been able to realize your dream. That you are already thinking about how to "pay it forward" reveals such a beautiful soul. I am so very proud of and happy for you! You have all of my best wishes for the most delightful and successful four years at GEORGETOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>love, ~berurah</p>

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<p>Whew! After the Evil Robot saga, I never know what kids will do...but I am so relieved that you are stepping up to that plate, tlak. </p>

<p>I think the Jesuits get plenty of 1600s, celebs and royals. Trumps even. The EA/RD threads prove that. They also have a Jesuit mandate for service. I bet that's where you won them over. I'm not at all surprised.</p>

<p>You are a unique kind of first generation guy in JRROTC in LA in a lower decile school. CC parents see it. Gtown saw it. 1320 be damned! </p>

<p>I hope you'll keep in touch. It will be fun to watch the tlaktan effect in action at the powerhouse of SFS. </p>

<p>Your parents must be bursting at the seams, living the American dream. I can picture their smiles so clearly.</p>

<p>btw; I once ordered chicken feet despite the urgings of a Singapore waitress who told us that "our kind" do not eat Mushroom Chicken Leg. </p>

<p>Mmmmm. </p>

<p>Mushroom Chicken Leg turned out to be chicken feet. A really really big bowl of horrid yellow chicken feet. To make matters worse, brethren chicken feet were still scratching around under our table.</p>

<p>Of course the waitress was so thrilled we ordered the specialty, we had to eat them. </p>

<p>DH did the majority of the duty. cheers is a whimp.</p>

<p>Ahhhh, culture clash.....:p</p>

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<p>Andrew:</p>

<p>Thanks so much for writing up your story. We on the Parents Forum have followed your journey and cheered you on since last year. I recall your wondering whether it was okay to wear your uniform for your Gtown interview, then having the interview in a coffee shop and being threatened by a man. It's been great sharing your successes as well as your disappointments. I hope some students come across your story and will be inspired, as I hope are the students at your school.
For the rest of the school year, savor the feeling that so many wonderful colleges want you, that they see the potential for great achievements in you. Congratulations again!</p>

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<p>tlaktan - I was not here for the beginning of your cc experience. But I can tell you that you have already begun to repay any debt you have by your posts in the last few days. Especially, these thorough two with valuable insights for all. And with your true appreciation and learning shining through. You are one special future Hoya. Enjoy everything Georgetown and DC (my home town) has to offer.</p>

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<p>Very touching story! So happy for you!</p>

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<p>Andrew, </p>

<p>Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. You have shown so much maturity and grace through out this whole process.
Congratualtions, you deserve all of the good things that are coming your way. You'll always be our e-child and we hope that you check in and let the "folks' know how you are doing.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story and for taking the time to say "thank-you." I hope that after you're at Georgetown, you'll drop by to give us updates and to also give advice to the students coming behind.</p>

<p>Best wishes to you!</p>

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<p>tlaktan,</p>

<p>What a fabulous story of tenacity and what wonderful successes you are having! Congratulations for all of your admissions, particularly to your DREAM SCHOOL!!</p>

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<p>Congratulations on your 4-year turnaround! I bet you will get more out of your college experience than many Ivy League students with higher high school stats!</p>

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<p>Andrew, as others have said, check in from time to time. We'll miss you here..</p>

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<p>Andrew,</p>

<p>I remember when I first met you on CC over the summer. We were practically the only two kids on the Georgetown board hoping to be part of the class of 2009- everyone else was to come later. It was pretty much us and the remnants of the class of 2008.</p>

<p>We both wanted more than anything to go to Georgetown, and look at us now!- no longer "Hopeful Hoyas" (;)), we are now full-fledged Hoyas; Future Hoyas, preparing to enter Georgetown University this Fall.</p>

<p>And personally, I couldn't be more excited. </p>

<p>Hoya Saxa! I'll see you on the Hilltop.</p>

<p>-Dan</p>

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<p>I'm not leaving yet! LOL. I'm going to start slowly fading myself out, though. Since I do have the two-month period of May and June before graduation, and even July, I'll help with the future college candidates -- both online here on CC and in school. It's the least I can do.</p>

<p>Thank you parents for your wonderful comments. The experience is an unforgettable one. The moment is bittersweet, actually, as I'm now on the verge of departing away from the college admissions scene and entering college -- it was grueling, arduous and for a lack of words, hard, (hence, the sweet part) but... there's nothing like staying online the night before decision day and chatting in anticipation, guessing about what will happen in the end. Leaving this family.. will be the bitter part.. as I've shared many of my memories here on CC .. Some say it's only a website.. I beg to differ.. </p>

<p>It's the sense of family I'll miss, but I'm preparing myself to join a new family -- the Hoya Class of 2009!</p>

<p>Calidan: It's amazing, isn't it? Last May, we were just two juniors looking to get into Georgetown. I remember you posting endlessly about the FLL and me about the SFS. Then came Natasha (Babybird) and brenner, manderz, and everyone else -- slowly we became our own little EA family.</p>

<p>In the months between EA and RD, we seemed to have lost a bit of our family. I withdrew myself from the Georgetown forums because I was devastated by the deferral, and well.. everyone who was deferred slowly lost interest. Even when RD time came around, it was only one or two days before D-Day that I started posting again. </p>

<p>Remember the time when we coined the term Hopeful Hoyas? Amazing I actually signed my cover letter and my deferral letter with the term at the end. It's true, we're no longer Hopeful Hoyas, but we're now a part of Hoya '09! I'm excited, thrilled, and ready for the adventure ahead.</p>

<p>Hoya Saxa!</p>

<ul>
<li>Andrew</li>
</ul>

<p>P.S. Ah, if I had a dime for every time someone asked me, "What's a Hoya?"</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Ah, if I had a dime for every time someone asked me, "What's a Hoya?"

[/quote]

I KNOW! I KNOW! Remember, my brother was a Hoya!!!!!!! hee hee
~berurah</p>

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<p>Tlak- it is totally amazing. :)</p>

<p>BTW here's how the term "Hopeful Hoyas" came to be:</p>

<p>Calidan (in reference to all the Ca. public schoolers applying to Gtown):

[quote]
I am totally joining this group. West coast public schooled hopefuls for Georgetown! Or just anyone who realllly wants to go to Georgetown! I want to go there so bad, I'm about to implode with anxiety. :( Good luck everyone!

[/quote]

Tlaktan:
[quote]
I love Georgetown. I fell in love the first time I laid eyes on it. God, this sounds like what I told my girlfriend, but it's true! The political atmosphere, who can match that?
Calidan, I see you are applying for a French major. Well, that gives me some comfort that someone as highly qualified as you isn't trying for the same curriculum ;-).</p>

<p>How about this..</p>

<p>"The Hopeful Hoyas?"</p>

<p><em>shrug</em></p>

<p>I'm bad at making group names.

[/quote]

Calidan:
[quote]
Ooo, I like it. I'm definitely a "Hopeful Hoya". LOL. Tlaktan- you really think I'm highly qualified? That totally just made my day! You're the best! What major are you applying for? That would be so awesome if we both go there next fall. Wait, what am I saying? If? I mean "when," of course. Hehehe... :p

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Kind of spooky how well I predicted that last part, huh? :D</p>

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<p>It all turned out to be a matter of when. :).</p>

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<p>tlaktan.....enjoy georgetown.</p>

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<p>I love that you fed the dog before you opened the envelope! That kind of maturity, responsibility, kindness, attention to detail -- surely that's partly what Georgetown saw in you. Sincerest congratulations.</p>