Name: Julianne

Home State: NY

GPA: 3.6

SAT/ACT scores: SAT: I didn't like the SAT and it didn't like me. ACT: 28

How many schools did you apply to? 10...but withdrew six of those applications.

Which ones? Gettysburg (ED), Bucknell, Susquehanna, Mount Saint Mary's University, Drew, Lynchburg, Ithaca, Stonehill, SUNY Albany and SUNY Cortland.

Surprised? I was thrilled about Gettysburg. I don't think I was surprised, but I was very happy. None of the other four schools to which I was admitted surprised me either. I was expecting acceptances from Lynchburg and Mount Saint Mary's. Drew made me happy. I withdrew the applications to the other schools when I heard from Gettysburg. I would have been surprised if I'd been admitted to Bucknell, but I'll never know.

Did you apply ED? Are you happy with the decision? That would be yes and yes. I applied ED to Gettysburg and I am very happy I did. Gettysburg is small which means they only have room for so many students. I knew I wanted to go there, so I figured I'd apply ED and let Gettysburg know they were my first choice. I was thrilled with my acceptance—so happy I actually cried. Then, when I learned about the number of applications they received this year, about 800 more than last year, I was very happy I went ED. If I hadn't, I may not have gotten in. ED isn't the best choice for everyone, but for me, it worked out.

ED is tricky, you really have to think it through, but if there is a school you are really passionate about, I say go for it.

Where did you get in? Lynchburg, Mount Saint Mary's, Drew and Gettysburg. Applications withdrawn from: Bucknell, Susquehanna, Ithaca, Stonehill, SUNY Cortland and SUNY Albany.

Where will you be next fall? How excited are you? Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA...home of the Bullets!!! I am so excited. My e-mail went active on June 1st and I pre-registered and filled out my housing form. I am very, very excited. Can you tell? I'm excited.

Why did you choose the school you did? This is tough, because I really went with my gut. I was looking for a specific type of school. Not too big, a very involved student body, friendly, not too isolated and I was looking for a school with an equestrian team. Naturally. I wanted a really great history program. When I walked around Gettysburg last summer, the place felt good to me. The visit I made in the fall really cinched it. The school fit. I liked the people, the professors and I liked the way the people in admissions treated me. I mattered to them and they made the admissions process pretty painless. Finally, I want to major in history and I'm going to school in a place where history surrounds me. What could be better than that?

What advice do you have? On the practical side, stay organized. Try to get started on some things over the summer. Fill in the generic parts of the Common Application, write an essay. Get a file box organized so you can keep information from schools in a place where you can actually find it. Get a calendar and watch your deadlines or have someone responsible do it for you. Most of all don't wait until the last minute to get your applications in. Give yourself some breathing room. I tried to do one thing college related everyday. Overall, I was pretty successful.

Keep your grades up. That's all I need to say about that.

Apply for financial aid. Even if you don't think you qualify, apply anyway. Unless you are the child of a multi-millionaire, you never know what kind of money may come your way.

Now for the emotional piece—Don't get hung up on the name of the school, but look for a school where you fit. I have a number of friends who were worrying more about the prestige of a school than if the school was right for them. There are a lot of very good colleges and how well you do in life has more to do with what you do with your education than with the name on your diploma. It's hard to remember that, but try. Visit your favorite schools more than once. Stay for the day; stay overnight if they will let you. Walk around the town or city. Take the bench test. Sit on a bench or wall or under a tree on the campus and try to see yourself there. If the SAT isn't your thing, take the ACT. The ACT is a different type of test and you may score better. Believe the people in admissions when they tell you either test is acceptable. I didn't submit my SAT scores to any school and I did just fine. If you aren't a test person at all, look for schools which are test optional.

Final advice...trust yourself. You are the one going to college and it has to be your decision. Don't let anyone else make it for you.

If you could do it all over again what would you do differently? Nothing. Maybe prepare a little more for the standardized tests, but overall I'm happy. I don't think I'd change a thing.

Anything else? Writing for Eye on Apply has been a great experience. It helped me examine the whole process and look at myself and colleges more critically. What I learned is that there is a college for everyone. I found mine...you have to find yours.

Thanks to everyone who read my entries. It's been fun and I wish you all a happy summer! Congratulations!

Operation 007: Mission Accomplished.

Julianne
Gettysburg College, Class of 2011