Hey all! [Warning...this is super long...sorry!]
I'm absolutely ecstatic!
These past few days have been incredibly fantastic. Well, must start with the less-thrilling news, first, before I get to the interesting part
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Yesterday, I got to my first class, and my friend immediately said, "Hey did you check online yet?!" I was like, "Huh? Why? What for?" She was like, "UCLA has their decisions posted up! So does UCSB, and UC Davis." I was like, "Oh, wow, really? I totally forgot about that...too excited about UCI!" LOL. I'm so happy for my friend, BTW...she got into UCLA!!!! That is her backup, though...she's waiting for Columbia and Georgetown (god, is she smart!). I really hope she gets in...she is an absolute sweetheart.
So, I left the next class - homeroom - early, to rush to the computer lab, where tons of seniors were clustered around the computers checking out the various college websites. First, I checked UCLA's. I knew I had no chance. Well, they had the letter posted up, with the "We regretfully inform you..." blah blah blah. I was not, in the least, surprised. I had only applied to please my parents, since my sister went there. I only worried about how my parents would take the news. Luckily, later in the night when I got home, they were totally cool with it, being that I had good news to eliminate the bad news about UCLA! So then I checked UCSB's. I was shell-shocked when I saw the words "Status: Not Admitted." I froze and stared at those words with absolute disbelief. I thought, "How the heck did I get into Irvine and not Santa Barbara?!" (BTW, I thought it was harsh that UCSB didn't at least post a letter with "We regretfully inform you..." - like UCLA had at least did. What a harsh way to let people know they're not accepted.)
So then I had to get going to my AP Econ class. We were taking a test yesterday, and all I could think about was, "Why didn't I get into UCSB?!" I totally seemed to forget that I had already crossed off UCSB from my list, after I got into UCI. I knew that if I were to go to UCSB, my grades would slip down the toilet...I'm very susceptible to certain environments. I was just shocked and disappointed. For so long, UCSB had been one of my favorite schools, up until I was admitted to UCI. So, it was just disappointing...I fought back tears as I took my Econ test.
After the test, I rushed back to the computer lab. I had tried - to no avail - to get into UC Davis's Admissions Status website before (when I was checking UCLA's and UCSB's), but they had changed their entire website just yesterday (or the night before), so it was extremely hard to find everything. So, finally, I found the Admissions Status website. I was absolutely ecstatic when my status page opened up with the words, "Congratulations!" I was thrilled. Immediately, my disappointment and confusion about UCSB's decision disappeared. I was like, "YAY!!! UC Davis accepted me!!!" I had always liked Davis, but crossed it off my list because I didn't think I'd get in. Davis is usually a LITTLE bit harder to get into compared to Irvine, but both schools are pretty much equal in quality.
So then, I went to my next class. I was so sad to see some seniors crying...they had not gotten into UCSB, Davis, and UCLA. One of the girls was so sad that she didn't get into UCSB. Like me, she was shocked. We both have relatively good grades, above average SAT I and II scores, pretty good essays...etc. Most think UCSB is a shoo-in. Now, all she can hope is for UC San Diego and Berkeley. Sadly, though, if UCSB doesn't accept a person, it's highly unlikely that UCSD or UCB will!
Throughout the whole day, I felt super happy, but the whole day was difficult for many seniors. Many were so angry about UCSB...if we get into Irvine and Davis, then UCSB's decision should almost be automatic. Seriously. However, I know there are many factors that go into a decision. It's shocking to hear of so many super-smart people getting rejected from UCSB (these people I know of have super high GPAs, great SATs, etc.). Those of us that weren't accepted to UCSB but to UCI, Davis, etc. have already formed a theory about UCSB's admissions. However, it's kinda mean so I won't post it here!
Weirdly enough, I know of only one senior who was accepted to UCSB...who wasn't accepted to UC Davis or Irvine! Strange, huh?
After school, I went to the mall. I saw girls that used to be my best friends (freshman and sophomore year) at the makeup counters, and I joined them. All had red eyelids, a result of crying. I felt so badly for them. Although we are no longer close, they are always people I will treasure. They all asked me to apply concealer to their eyelids, as their lids were swollen and puffy. They sadly/angrily told me they weren't accepted to any of the competitive UCs (so far). Now, they can only hope for UCSD, Berkeley, or Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (not a UC). Unfortunately, though, it's extremely difficult to get into UCSD or Berkeley, especially if one isn't accepted to the other UCs. I didn't know what to say to them. I couldn't believe that they weren't accepted...all are extremely bright and talented.
Admissions is such a weird game. I say "game," because one never knows who will be accepted. I know of a person who wasn't accepted to Davis, with a 1450 SAT score (!!!!!) and a great GPA. I have no clue why I was accepted, if he wasn't. And of course there's UCSB. Such an outcry about them at my school. And then the other UCs...it's really a toss-up, it seems. Our school is basically in a state of shock over what has all happened to so many of our students, getting rejected, though with stellar stats.
I'm just so happy that I got into Davis and Irvine. I had worried about this for SO long, felt hopeless at times...worked so hard on my essay, always feeling it wasn't perfect enough...thought I would end up at my safety...berated myself for making stupid choices soph year that I thought would hurt my chances for admission... This just feels so incredibly awesome. I feel so blessed.
Gosh, I'm so sorry to go on for SO long! Hope you are all still with me
. Just wanted to say that I feel so grateful that I have been
blessed throughout this whole admissions process! I'm so ecstatic that I have a choice between Davis and Irvine now. Though I'm still waiting to hear from USC, now I don't really mind if I'm rejected from them. I feel that whatever happens, is meant to be. And I'm absolutely, positively thrilled that I might be headed for either UCD or UCI this Fall!!
Thank you all for your supportive, wonderful posts to me!! You all are above AWESOME!!