By Catherine Wang

Madison the Performer:

Though Madison* was accepted early decision to Wesleyan University in February, her workload has increased, she said.

“We’re the only school in the country that still has work as second semester seniors,” she said.

Wesfest, a three-day event in April during which students admitted to Wesleyan visit the school, coincides with a school performance, so she will not be able to attend. She may make a weekend trip to visit the school. She is traveling to the East Coast this summer, so she may also visit the school shortly after graduation, she said.

As many of her friends hear from their Regular Decision schools, Madison has no regrets about her decision to go to Wesleyan.

“It was frustrating to do all of the other applications,” she said. “I completed seven only to withdraw. It took me a lot of time and money for my parents to fill out the supplements.”

 

Aiden the All-Around:

Aiden* was accepted to the University of Miami last week and awaits more admissions decisions. Aiden did not know much about Miami before being accepted, but after researching it, he said he would be happy to go there.

“It sounds like a really tight school,” he said. “Students say work is really manageable.”

He is attracted to the school’s social scene. There is “lots to do” in Miami and good nightlife, he said.

Along with Miami, Aiden was accepted to the University of California, Santa Cruz, University of California, Riverside and Case Western Reserve University last month.

“I got a nasty $18,000 scholarship from Case Western but I don’t think I can see myself there,” he said.

Although Aiden considers Miami a frontrunner among the schools he was accepted to, he “doesn’t want to get too attached.”

“I really won’t be able to make a decision until I find out how much schools will want me to pay even if I get into one of the more prestigious schools on my list,” he said. I can’t get too excited because I wouldn’t want to attend just to burden myself with a huge debt if it turns out they won’t provide that much money for me.”

Aiden has applied for several scholarships online and is planning on applying to more during spring break.

 

Zoe the Artist:

Zoe*, who was accepted early decision to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, is enjoying being a second semester senior.

“I don’t stress out anymore,” she said. “I’m definitely working less hard.”

Though she completes all of her assignments and homework, she does not put as much effort into her schoolwork, she said.

Zoe sometimes still cannot believe she was accepted to NYU.

“It’s been my dream since I was little,” she said. I couldn’t imagine myself at any other school.”

Zoe and a friend she met at an NYU summer program plan to be roommates. She will submit a housing application later this month.

 

Alexis the Athlete:

After being accepted to St. Mary’s College through its early decision program in December, Alexis* is waiting to hear from the school’s financial aid office.

“I’m just waiting and then I’ll get into everything,” she said. “They estimate that they will release those decisions sometime in late March.”

Alexis was recruited to St. Mary’s as a walk-on recruit.

“There’s only so much the school can do for walk-on recruits,” Alexis said. “But the coaches have helped us since we can communicate with financial advisers.”

If St. Mary’s does not offer her enough financial aid, Alexis is considering Emory University, California Lutheran University and California State Universities.

Alexis applied for several scholarships on her own, and she will receive notifications from the organizations she applied to between March and June.

 

Carter the Brain:

After being accepted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in December, Carter* only applied to Harvard University.

He receives his admission decision March 30.

“I’m not really nervous, just because I have a pretty good alternative,” he said. “I’m hopeful.”

If he is accepted to Harvard, Carter does not know which school he would choose.

“Every week I switch off,” he said. “HW alumni from one school convince me and then alumni from the other school convince me and it goes back and forth.”

Carter is “not stressing” about making decisions right now, he said.

“In three months I’ll have to make decisions,” he said. “I’m sort of not thinking about it because so many things will change after March 30.”

Carter has made plans to attend MIT’s Campus Preview Weekend April 7 through 10.

 

*names have been changed