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.