I thought this would be a fun, stress-relieving thing to talk about on this forum. So for those of us who have already started receiving decisions - or those of you who went through this process in previous years and are now in/out of college - what was it like, getting that first acceptance decision? Was it from your top school or your safety? Was it exciting, disappointing, scary, or confusing? Did you expect to get into that school? Did you cry? Who was the first person you told?
I just got my first acceptance a few days ago, so I’m going to recount that moment…
It was around 4:30pm on Friday and I had just sat down on the couch with my mom. I was eating Bagel Bites when my phone started to ring. I planned to ignore it at first, but then, seeing that the number was coming from the same area code as one school I’d applied to, I swallowed the lump of pizza-flavored-bagel that was in my mouth. I almost missed the call but luckily I caught it before the last ring.
The girl on the other end introduced herself as the admissions officer from Lesley University who had reviewed my application. She had a very cheery tone in her voice so I was a bit suspicious, though I didn’t really expect much, since I had just submitted my application not even two weeks prior. She took me by surprise, though, when she said “I’m calling to let you know that you’ve officially been accepted to the freshman class of 2016!” After a few excited yelps from me and a bit of a concerned look from my mom, I thanked the woman for the phone call. She responded with “Thank you for applying! But that’s not all…” then continued to inform me that I was also chosen to receive their highest merit-based award (the presidential scholarship) and I was invited to enroll in their honors program. I tried my best not to scream into the phone. She said some specific things about why she loved my application and thought I would be a great fit at Lesley, explained that my acceptance package would arrive in the mail soon, and wished me a happy holiday before hanging up. I sort of dropped my phone in disbelief before filling in my mom on the situation - causing her to cry, of course. I then called my dad and told him what had happened. He later came home from work with my favorite type of muffins
So, Lesley University was my first acceptance and I think it was a pretty great one. I love that they responded so quickly to my application and even called me to let me know. It’s more of a low match school for me, but I still love it, and it feels amazing to have such a great option now… It’s a weight off my shoulders, knowing that I’m definitely going to college now!
So I’ll leave the rest to whoever else wants to share!
Eh I feel pretty late, I have not even applied to any colleges yet. Planning on starting and finishing the process during winter break though. I know some schools have guaranteed acceptances if you meet a certain quota.
Really cool story to bring a more optimistic and happy tone regarding decisions. Great change from the usual rejections being depressing and acceptances just being full of relief.
I got my first(and only- only applied to one school) acceptance 12/9. The mail came at about 4pm. I opened the mailbox and saw a huge green envelope with the words “the news you have been waiting for!” On it. I screamed then ran into the house. My sister came downstairs and I called my mom, who had to work late and said to call her if it came. My sister helped me open it so I wouldn’t break the seal while my mom listened in. I read it aloud to my mom and almost cried when I saw I received the highest scholarship. She was screaming and nearly crying. She cried on her way home. I then texted my best friend and called my dad. I felt so happy and relieved and just overjoyed. One of the best days ever
I was really annoyed because it took 5 weeks for my top choice to get back to me even though they said it would only take 3-4 (test score mix up). So I walked into class on November 30th and pulled open my email (roughly 8 AM) and saw an email from my top choice with the subject line “your offer of a place”. I got really excited and opened it and read that I had gotten into St Andrews with an unconditional offer!!! I started crying and immediately texted all of my family and friends!
I was at my best friend’s house (I practically live there) and my safety decision finally came to me while I was actually just trying to show my friend how to log onto the portal. I was auto-admit because a top 10% of class kind of deal, but I still remember having that first epiphany telling me that high school was wrapping up. No more dependence or adolescence, it felt as if a secondary line of puberty had stampeded through my endocrine system all at once. I was no longer a simple high school student, a mere mortal, no I was someone who had options. My blood pressure went down and I felt relaxed for a little while. All of this was internally happening while I softly spoke aloud: “oh hey I got my UCF acceptance, that’s cool.” I looked collected or maybe even under appreciative on the outside, but it meant a lot!
I was on the ride home from school with my siblings on an early November afternoon when my dad decided to check the mail. I saw that it was from Rider University, a private university in my home state which was my safety. They even gave me their Dean’s Scholarship ($16k/year). Although I expected to get in, and never planned on seriously considering the school, it was a MASSIVE relief to be officially university bound.
