Nine Applications Submitted, One Acceptance, and a Lot of Possibility Ahead

I’ve officially submitted all nine of my early college applications.

Writing that feels exciting, and a little strange. I started this process in early April, and for months, submitting my applications was something I was working toward. Now, this part is done. The applications are out of my hands, and the waiting begins.

I’m proud. I’m nervous. I’m excited. Mostly, I’m realizing that those feelings can all exist at the same time.

A process that started in April

When I began in early April, I knew I wanted to put real effort into my applications. I didn’t want to submit something that simply listed accomplishments or sounded like what I thought an admissions office wanted to hear. I wanted to express myself honestly.

That became one of the most important parts of the process: figuring out how to make an application feel like me.

There’s a difference between sharing what you’ve done and showing who you are. I spent a lot of time thinking about that difference. What matters to me? What do I want someone to understand about me? How can I communicate that clearly without losing the way I naturally express myself?

I wanted to feel confident that, when I finally hit submit, I had given each school a thoughtful and genuine introduction to the person behind the application.

Where I applied

My completed early applications went to:

• The Ohio State University

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Clemson University

• University of Colorado Boulder

• University of Alabama

• The University of Texas at Austin

• Virginia Tech

• University of Virginia

• University of Connecticut

And I already have some good news: I’ve been accepted to the University of Alabama!

Having that first acceptance makes this experience feel more real. For so long, college has been something to plan for and work toward. Now, I have an actual opportunity in front of me, and that’s something I’m excited about.

Excited, nervous, and learning to let go

The excitement comes from knowing that these applications could lead to a new chapter in my life. It’s exciting to imagine where I might end up and what that experience could look like.

The nerves come from not knowing yet.

After putting so much work into something, it’s hard to send it off and accept that the next part isn’t up to me. There’s a temptation to keep thinking about what I wrote or wondering whether I could have expressed something differently.

But I also want to give myself credit. I started early, took the process seriously, and worked to make my applications reflect me. Whatever the decisions turn out to be, that effort matters.

I don’t have to pretend I’m completely confident or completely calm to feel proud of reaching this point.

Twenty-one applications still ahead

Finishing my early applications is a major milestone, but it isn’t the finish line. I still have 21 regular decision applications to complete.

That’s a lot of work ahead, and I’m not overlooking it. But I’m also not letting the next set of deadlines erase the progress I’ve already made.

Since April, I’ve spent months thinking about how to introduce myself and what I want to share. I’m carrying that thoughtfulness into the applications still ahead.

For now, I’m giving myself permission to celebrate: nine applications submitted, one acceptance already, and a future I’m excited, even if a little nervous, to discover.