#dryeon

I haven’t been active on Tumblr in over a year so I just wanted to give y’all an update about my school life. 

1. I’ve graduated high school and earned my IB diploma! High school was a challenge and a complete nightmare now that I reflect on the last four years of my life. 

2. I applied to 17, yes, SEVENTEEN schools this year and ultimately chose an amazing university in New York! 

3. The scholarship from the university ended up covering all of my costs with some money left over so I am getting paid to go to college. This has been an absolute dream come true--especially because I was convinced until late April that I would have to take a gap year in order to work and earn enough money to pay for college. 

4. I’ll be majoring in International Relations! I might double major in political science too but I need to talk to a counselor about it first since I also have my pre-med requirements to complete.

Hello! I have something to tell you all--I am a DACAmented student. 

What does this mean? I am an undocumented immigrant who has temporary protection from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created via executive order under the Obama administration. 

I was brought to the country illegally when I was a year old and have spent the past 17 years of my life trying to navigate through the uncertainty that is living without papers. For 17 years I have been in the dark, trembling in fear whenever I saw a police car and working my hardest in school even when a professional career seemed unreachable to me. 

Applying to colleges has taught me that there is a large support system out there for students like myself. The numerous people who have guided me through the college application process have helped me realize that being DACAmented is not something that I have to hide or be ashamed of. It is not my fault that I was brought to the US illegally, and I am no less American than someone who was born here. The United States is my home. 

I don’t know how long this protection will last but I will use every moment of my time here to learn, better myself, and pursue my dreams. 

ATTENTION RISING SENIORS The college application process can be confusing and overwhelming. This ordeal is especially daunting for those of us who don’t have parents or older siblings who can guide us and answer our questions about college. Don’t worry! We can figure this out together. 

Disclaimer: This post only applies to US students who are looking to attend a US college/university. 

The first step in the college application process is to decide which schools you want to apply to. 

Types Big vs Small Schools Campus Setting

College Search Tools Big Future College Search College Greenlight - A resource for first-generation and minority students I’m First - Another tool for first-generation students College Scorecard Colleges That Change Lives Other Resources List of Colleges that Meet 100% Financial Aid Needs

Other Important Factors

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Retention rate - percentage of students who return for their sophomore year

Graduation Rate

Public vs Private

For profit vs. nonprofit - I advise against going to a for profit college. I’ll make a more detailed post about this later.

Top areas of study - If you apply to study Pre-med at a college that is known for their Pre-med program, there will be a tremendous degree of competition. 

Financial aid - Every school has a different financial aid policy. 

Once you know what types of colleges you’re looking for, the next step is to create your college list. A balanced list includes 6-8 schools (you can add more depending on how much time you have for the applications) and has a variety of safety, target, and reach colleges. 

Safety - schools with expected test scores and GPA that are lower than yours Target - schools with expected test scores and GPA that are around yours Reach - schools with expected test scores and GPA that are higher than yours

No matter how high your test scores and GPA are, any school with an acceptance rate lower than 20% should be considered a reach school. All colleges on your list should be those that you wouldn’t mind attending so choose schools that meet your needs and preferences! Having a good and balanced list ensures that you get accepted by at least one college. 

Additional Information/Tips

Your college list is YOURS because it is specifically catered to YOUR needs. Don’t copy it from a list of good schools. 

There are hundreds of amazing schools that aren’t an Ivy League. 

 Apply to at least one school in your state.

Make note of the application requirements for each school. It’s less time-consuming to apply to schools through the common application or the coalition application but many schools have additional requirements. 

You should have a solidified list before you start your senior year.

1. We found a tiny mushroom in the mushroom box so I named it Walter and made it a little paper home. Walter sat at the bar all day but almost died when one of the servers tried to cook him with a lighter.

2. At the restaurant we have an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and on the weekends I (the hostess) am not allowed to seat one person BBQs. As I was explaining this policy to a kind gentleman who came alone, the two women who were next in line offered the man a seat at their table. Every time I passed their table I got a glimpse of a developing friendship.

3. A guy eating BBQ was carefully adding salt to his meat when an entire avalanche of it fell onto his plate. He made the biggest “OH NO” face and his girlfriend laughed so hard.

4. A young couple with a small child walked in to place a takeout order. The man explained to me that he and his wife wanted to have a special date but couldn’t dine in because of their child. He asked if there are nicer plates (other than the styrofoam boxes) and later asked about the price for a bottle of wine. The wine was too expensive so they ended up getting only 3 sushi rolls but it was heartwarming to see the husband try to create a romantic atmosphere for his wife.

5. Another guy ordered a bento box for takeout and tipped me in spite of the fact that he had to come back in for the California roll that I forgot to give him.

6. I spilled coke while cleaning a table and heard the people at another table say, “Look away so she doesn’t feel embarrassed.”