Everything connects!

What are the chances that...

1 - You find out you were born less than three miles away from your college
2 - You find out that you actually have heard of Arcadia University before the college searches - and you've been there too. Well, 17 years ago when your grandfather was the Santa for the school!
3- You find out that your mom took graduate classes at Arcadia (well, technically Beaver College)
4 - Your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins live within 15 minutes of the campus
5 - Your family relocates because of a job, and goes from being almost 3 hours away to less than 2
6 - Your twin brother picks a school 7.6 miles away from yours

What are the chances that all six things happened? Probably slim to none. But for me, that's the exact truth. They say everything happens for a reason. Life truly does connect!

My sister (right), my brother (back of stroller), and me (front of stroller) going to see my Grandfather dressed up as Santa at Arcadia University

It's 2 weeks away.

Completely and overly excited to move into Arcadia, but completely worth all the excitement and waiting! 

The FYSAE decision

Now that Arcadia was the decision and the deposit was made, there was still another decision that needed to be made. Well, for my parents - my mind was already set on London.

I ordered "London for Dummies" on Amazon, and when it came in the mail, I would read part of it every day. At dinner, I would bring up a random fact like, "did you know in London, you can take the Tube almost anywhere?" Each day was a different fact. I knew once I knew enough about London, it would convince my parents that I knew enough to go and be successful. But, there was a lot of work to be done. And reading "London for Dummies" wasn't making me any less eager to go... it was only making me more eager (oh, and it's one of the first things I packed to actually go to college).



One day, my dad finally asked, "why do you want to go to London?" There were thoughts racing through my head... I had to hold back from saying, "are you kidding me?" Instead, I calmly explained that it would be an opportunity of a lifetime. My major was sociology, and how cool would it to be to study in another culture? It was perfect! I loved London, and I was ready for the challenge.

My parents were really concerned about my anxiety disorder. After going through depression in middle school, I was diagnosed with a chemical imbalance in 10th grade. My brain doesn't produce enough Serotonin - the 'feel good' chemical in my brain. The bubbly and happy Steph from my childhood was no longer there in middle school and high school; she was hiding inside waiting to get out. I was completely understanding of my parents concerned. My chemical imbalance has been under control for two years, thanks to medication and proper 'calming' skills - such as listening to music and community service.

I wanted to prove my parents wrong. I wanted the bubbly Steph to keep coming back, the way she has been for the past two years. I remember saying, "I'm not going to let this control my life, or let it stop me from following my dreams. I control my happiness, my brain doesn't."

A few weeks later, my father randomly brought up the topic. He quickly asked - without hesitating - "when do we need to put the deposit down". Wait - did he just say what I think he said?! Is there actually a chance I can go? I was speechless - but told him as soon as possible because the spaces fill up. He then told me, "your mom and I have been talking. We'll put the deposit down tomorrow." (insert yelling and jumping here)

So, after I got my letter in the mail confirming my spot in the FYSAE program, I knew I was doing this for the best. My disorder was not controlling and would never control my life - I would never do this. This was for the best, this was for the future, this was for the experience, this was for me. Ever since my deposit, the bubbly happy Steph is back, and she's not going anywhere - ever.

Spring FYSAE in London at City University will be, without a doubt, the most life changing opportunity of my life.

The decision

When you get accepted to two colleges you equally love, what do you do? Visit them! I decided to visit University of Delaware and get a tour from a friend one day, and the next, visit Arcadia University during an open house. 

University of Delaware was pretty, and I still loved it. We were in the bookstore, and my mom asked if I wanted to get a shirt. I simply shrugged and said, "nah". Something didn't feel right. I didn't know what it was - there was nothing wrong with Delaware. You know how they say that when you see your college, you'll get that feeling that it's the right one? Yeah, that didn't happen for me at UD. Maybe I was just overwhelmed, or maybe I was worried I wouldn't find my place there. It was a gorgeous campus and a wonderful school... for other people, but not for me. 

The next day, we arrived at Arcadia University. I could still tell you where we parked. I was so excited when I saw the castle - even in the distance. But, when we parked on campus, chills went through my entire body. I've never had that feeling before, but I knew right then it was the right college. I wasn't going to tell my mom - yet. She was on the phone with my dad at the time, and I told her I was ready to go, so I stood out of the car. Oh my gosh, my cheeks hurt so bad from smiling so much. I'm pretty sure everyone walking by me at the open house was looking at me like I was an idiot - but honestly, I didn't care. I turned around to look at my mom seeing if she was ready, and she was crying. She saw me looking at her and wiped her tears right away. I opened the car door to hear he say to my dad on the phone, "this is perfect for her". It's amazing how you can remember every single detail of moments like that. 

The day was so much fun, the castle was beautiful, everyone was friendly, it was perfect. Dr. Loury in the Sociology department sold me even more. I'm pretty sure she was half my reason for deciding to go to Arcadia. Her bubbliness and her self-description as the "crazy black lady" definitely made the entire day. The way she described the sociology department as a family made me fall in love even more. My mom said, "yeah, that's exactly you." Honestly, when typing this just now I got chills again. 

We were in the bookstore getting ready to go. My mom asked if I wanted anything. My answer was different than it was at UD - I wanted to get something. I walked over to a t-shirt rack and picked out a shirt. Holding the front of it, I walked over to my mom. I turned it around, and said, "I found the perfect shirt for you." The shirt said Arcadia Mom. It was official. I was going to be an Arcadia Knight. We were standing in the bookstore right by the lanyards, and my heart was beating so fast. There wasn't even a doubt if I was making the right decision or not. I knew it was the right decision. That feeling you're suppose to get when you found your right school? Yeah, it was there. Every time I go to Arcadia, it comes back - stronger than the last time. 

The acceptance

There is not a better feeling in the world than opening an envelope labeled from a college you've applied to and seeing the word, "congratulations!" It's even more exciting when you didn't expect to get the acceptance letter so early - and having to go to work literally 30 seconds after opening the letter. There was no time to finish reading the letter - and I was probably too excited to read it all anyway. I remember running into the daycare I worked at yelling, "I'M GOING TO COLLEGE!" It finally felt like reality - Arcadia University opened their arms wide open to allow me to be part of the family.

But, Arcadia wasn't my top pick. I didn't know too much about the school, and to be quite honest, I only applied because of the location and because my mom liked it. But, after visiting it, I decided to look more into it. Maybe they accepted me for a reason, and I was meant to go there. I didn't want to wait until April to get my acceptance letter to University of Delaware - but what if I didn't get into Delaware? They accepted less than 50% of applications. This is when it really got difficult.

Two more letters followed - both equally exciting. The first letter offered a $62,000 scholarship - or $15,500 a year. What?!  $62,000 could buy a lot of movie tickets, Starbucks coffees, prom dresses, cute clothes - whatever else Seniors in high school were into. But this $62,000 would mean a lot more to me than all those things. It was for my future, for something that seemed like a blur. But, it was right around the corner.

I got another letter a couple weeks later explaining that I was invited to apply to a First Year Study Abroad Experience. Wait - I could study overseas my freshman year in college? That thought seemed crazy - especially with the option of London, where I always dreamed of going. I showed my mom the letter and she laughed. I knew I was crazy, but that wouldn't stop me from applying. I sat in the car on a rainy day when my cellphone rang. It was Arcadia, it was time for my interview. They told me to expect a decision in a couple weeks. Did my mom know I actually applied? Nope. But, I finally decided to tell her. "Mom, don't worry, I just want to see if I get in." Then, the acceptance letter came. I was really excited. I remember looking at the FYSAE program online. I finally got up the nerve to confront my mom. I remember the conversation like it was yesterday:

"Mom, you know how I got accepted to FYSAE?"
"Yeah. You're not going."
"Mom, it's perfect though. Can you at least think about it?"
"No. There's no way I can handle three kids in college - 2 being my youngest and twins - and having one of them overseas. I can't handle that, let alone you being in London."

...Well, at least I tried.

A couple weeks later, I was sitting in the car with my mom when I remember saying, "Mom, I'm leaning towards Arcadia. It's not a definite, I want to see what Delaware says."

Then, I got the acceptance letter to University of Delaware.

College visits

The search was on. My family would drive hundreds of miles to look at colleges for my twin brother and I. We both had something in common - wanting to get out of the state of Maryland and end up near our home town of Hatboro, Pennsylvania in Suburban Philadelphia. 

Each visit, I remember saying, "I love it!" and not being able to decide which one I liked more. After visiting Elizabethtown college, I realized that that was not what I wanted. I liked Arcadia and University of Delaware a lot because of the gorgeous campus', the location, and their own unique features. Did I mention the cute swing at Arcadia?! 

Arcadia University 

On the swing at Arcadia University 

Behind the Grey Towers Castle 

A beyond gorgeous sight

The new commons

How many places can you go to school and say you live right by a castle? 

Arcadia University arch by the Alumni office

University of Delaware

Living up to the gorgeous expectations

The college search is on

A possible Blue Hen? 

University of Delaware - UD 

August 1st - when the applications begin

It was August 1st. The Common Application was open. I remember sitting at my laptop that day, thinking, "it can't be that hard". I mean really, how many students fill this out? If that many people can do it, I can too! Right? I sure hope so.

"The Common Application is a not-for-profit membership organization that, since its founding over 35 years ago, has been committed to providing reliable services that promote equity, access, and integrity in the college application process. We serve students, member institutions, and secondary schools by providing applications that students and school officials may submit to any of our nearly 500 members. Membership is open to colleges and universities that promote access by evaluating students using a holistic selection process." (The Common App Misson)



So, now that the App was open, I knew that I needed to apply to the colleges I liked. I narrowed it down to several, and selected them on the Common App - including Arcadia University, Elizabethtown College, Scranton University, University of Delaware, University of Maryland Baltimore Campus, and West Chester University. Some applications were free, and some had a fee, but I knew it had to be done.As I continued each application, I narrowed down my choices, deleting some applications until I got to my top three that I knew were right for me.

Arcadia University

• Medium-sized: 2,211 undergrads
• 4 year college
• Private University
• Metropolitan Philadelphia 
• Residential campus
• Offers certificate, bachelor's master's and doctoral degrees
• $35,620 tuition;72% of financial need met
• 11:1 student-faculty ratio
• 68% female, 32% male
• Highly ranked Study Abroad program
• Sociology major
• Very involved in community service
• I loved the location, the size, the campus, the community service opportunities, study abroad, and more.
• I didn't like the male-female ratio, the communal bathrooms, hearing it was a 'ghost town' on the weekend, and there not being a Social Work major

Elizabethtown University

• Medium-sized: 2,356 undergrads
• 4 year college
• Private liberal arts college
• Suburban setting in Pennsylvania
• Residential campus
• Offers ceriticate, associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees
• $36,550 tuition; 83% of financial need met
• 12:1 student-faculty ration
• 66% female, 34% male
• Accredited Social Work major
• I loved the size of the school, the CKI club, the Social Work major, and more
• I didn't like the location (I wanted to be closer to Philadelphia) and that there probably wasn't much to do around

University of Delaware

• Large-sized: 17,120 undergrads
• 4 year college
• Public University
• Large town in Delaware 
• Residential campus
• Offers associate, bachelor's master's, and doctoral degrees
• $28,772 tuition; 75% of financial need met
• 13:1 student-faculty ratio
• 59% female, 41% male
• Very school spirited
• Football games
• I loved the campus's reputation for being so pretty, the CKI club, knowing people on campus, the location, and the school-spirit
• I didn't like the larger size, the reputation for being a party school, or the little applications that get accepted. 

Statistics found on The College Board

The application process wasn't that bad, and writing an essay about my inspiration - my grandmother - gave me that extra boost to keep going. I submitted my application within a day or so, and my letters of recommendation were in in no time. I was so lucky to have so many teachers that cared about me and who wrote such meaningful letters.

Now that the colleges were picked, all that was left was... to wait. The hardest part of all.