“Womp womp” moments in college admissions
Often when people think of admissions officers, they envision a grumpy old man with a red pen, ruthlessly slashing through admissions files with one goal…
Two months ago I was faithfully reading admission blog posts and now I have a blog of my own, crazy right? It is an awesome way to start my years as a Class of 2020 Early Decision Admit. I look forward to sharing the lessons I learnt in my applications to Tufts (Yes, I applied twice) and all my joys, fears and experiences as I transition from life in Kenya to Medford in September! Welcome aboard!
It has now been a little over a month since I became a part of the Class of 2020. It still feels surreal. I was accepted Early Decision on 14th December 2015 at around 10:00 p.m. After waiting and faithfully checking my email for months, the events of that day are firmly etched in my memory. Coincidentally, I was sleeping over at my friend’s house that night. I was so relieved to be accepted that I started screaming and sobbing profusely; making my friend’s family think something was exponentially wrong. Thankfully, my emotions stabilized and we ended up celebrating properly and even recording a video.
My Tufts journey has been a particularly tumultuous one. I applied to Tufts twice. First for the Class of 2019; I was waitlisted and eventually released from the waitlist. I tried again for the Class of 2020, and fortunately here we are! My desire to study in the U.S. was birthed when I participated in an Exchange Program with Brooks School in North Andover, MA. I loved that the American system and society did not only glorify academic merit, but also allowed its students to explore other interests. I graduated from high school in November 2013 and my plan was to take a gap year while applying to American colleges. My decision to apply to American colleges meant that I had to transverse the college application process mostly alone. So I had to select fit schools, maneuver through studying for and doing standardized tests, write essays and solicit for recommendations in a society that considers only academic capability. Though I have faced many challenges (which I will share in time), I am glad that Tufts saw me as a great addition to this community and took a chance on me.
Honestly I am still quite disbelieved that I am a Jumbo. It has now become a weekly ritual to check my Tufts applicant account just to confirm that my acceptance letter has not miraculously disappeared. For all of you regular decision applicants, may the odds be in your favor. I hope to meet you in the Class of 2020. I look forward to knowing my fellow (baby) Jumbos in the upcoming months. Seriously though, can’t September come any sooner? In the meantime, you can find me doing my college shopping in the streets of Nairobi: it is never too early! :)
Photo Credit: Giselantelope(flickr Creative Commons)
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