Red Letter Day

As it turns out, college interviews aren’t as distressing as they are daunting. True, I tripped timidly over my tongue through most of my Yale interview (a formal affair conducted in a bank), but it could have gone far worse. And the interview I was lucky enough to secure for Dartmouth College a few weeks later was positively enjoyable (held by an elderly couple in their beautiful home and complete with chamomile tea).

AHHHHHH!

Interviews only whet my collegiate appetite, however. Like millions of expectant students before me, I checked my mailbox religiously. As it were, my second, and most exciting reply (FSU’s acceptance was the first) came in the wonderfully weighty, scarlet envelope from Arcadia University (my first choice after the Ivy Leaguers). After partaking in a wild celebratory jig, my parents and I began to plan a visit to the Glenside castle that I had already secretly set my heart on. The perfect opportunity arose with the FYSAE and honors reception in March.

Over Spring Break, when the rest of my friends were digging themselves lazily into the sands of Florida’s beaches, I packed my warmest winter clothes and boarded a plane to Philly with my mother, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Philadelphia was delightful. As a person who regularly seeks out culture-shock, I was thrilled with its cold moody skies, framed by barren trees, edgy, historic streets, skirted by impressive architecture, and efficient buses and trains, filled with friendly strangers.

 

We traveled by bus to Arcadia the day after we arrived, and, swaddled in our dusty coats, approached the magnificent school. After an interesting tour given by Faith Bogue (she was really great!) and the truly welcoming (not to mention, delicious) FYSAE/ Honors reception, I hardly even cared that the Ivies would be sending out their decisions the following evening (decisions that despite the aforementioned “good-fortune dancing,” were not in my favor). I found a place that I was looking forward to calling home.