By Bridget Andree, Staff Writer and Jackie Fletcher, Features Editor, Trinity Hall Tribune
The Class of 2017 embarked on the college journey this fall, with some students choosing to apply early to select institutions. All 32 seniors have been accepted to a college or university, and they have collectively earned more than $2.3 million dollars in merit-based scholarships.
Director of College Counseling Christina Bergamo published a blog as a part of her series “College Corner” that provides further details on the early action process. Click Here to view the post and to see a complete list of the more than 50 colleges where students have been accepted.
Even though these impressive facts and figures convey much about the inaugural class, The Trinity Hall Tribune wanted to gain insight about the college application and selection process from the students who are already enrolled in their first-choice university. Each student seems to agree that the early application process is advantageous in that it gives them peace of mind and allowed them to commit to the school they were most passionate about without worrying about applying to and choosing between multiple schools.
Reilly BurnsCohen, Lehigh University
“Applying Early Decision was definitely the right move for me. I fell in love with Lehigh the spring of my junior year and knew I wanted to go. Having the whole college application process over before winter break is definitely a stress reliever, but I realize early decision is only the way to go if you’re absolutely positive you want to go. I will be attending P.C. Rossin College of Engineering but I am able to take classes in all of the colleges. Lehigh is a place that will allow me to explore all my interests, whether they be in engineering or not.”
Marissa Crespo, Lafayette College
“At Lafayette, I look forward to double majoring in computer science and economics. Lafayette’s campus is beautiful, and the students seem to have a balance of academics and fun, so I knew it was the place for me! I can’t wait to be a Leopard in the fall, take part in new experiences and meet a bunch of new people.”
Brianne Dwyer, Catholic University
“Just to think how a year ago I was still looking and deciding on what were my top 10 colleges, and now I have decided on what my top college is. Although it is no Trinity Hall, I’m excited to have a place I can call home.”
Sarah Frankel, Lafayette College
“Being enrolled at Lafayette feels incredible. After all the hard work over these past four years, it is the greatest feeling to know where I will be continuing my journey. The second I stepped on Lafayette’s campus I knew it was my dream school. Everything the school has to offer fits me as a student and person. Applying early was great; now I can focus on my last few months at Trinity Hall!”
Caroline Gmelich, The University of Virginia
“I’m probably most excited about the people that I’ll go to school with next year because the atmosphere they created on campus when I visited was just amazing. I knew it was the place for me when I met the [swim] team and realized how they interacted as a group and were extremely accepting of everyone. The team dynamic was a huge influence on me.”
Kelly Jennings, Drexel University
“I’m excited to go to Drexel because it is a big city school, which strongly contrasts the close knit environment that I’ve been a part of for the past four years. I feel like it won’t be too hard to adjust though since my brother is there as well. I am also enrolled in Drexel’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program which really appealed to me as I can graduate with my Doctorate in six years, rather than completing my undergrad in four years, and then applying to a different grad program for another 3-4 years.”
Holly Koerwer, The United States Naval Academy
“I am very happy to have gotten all of my applications finished by November. I had a solid idea of which colleges interested me, so I only applied to three. Although I came to be interested in the Naval Academy somewhat later than most, I was determined to go through the entire application process. Throughout the process I fell more in love with the Naval Academy and what it stands for in developing young men and women into leaders for our nation. I am thrilled to have the honor of an appointment to the Naval Academy, and I look forward to starting a new journey there this summer. GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!”
Nicole LoRusso, New York University
“Going to NYU has always been a dream of mine. I’m especially honored to be part of the Liberal Studies Program knowing I will be guaranteed a full year abroad, and I will be taking a majority of global studies and writing classes. I fell in love with NYU because it has so much to offer in terms of networking, course options, abroad opportunities and extracurriculars, in addition to its prime location. It still feels surreal to me that I’m going to be living in Manhattan next year.”
Grace Molloy, Loyola University Chicago
“The school has the programs that I am interested and is in the perfect location for me, so I can’t wait to be a part of that community, especially in the awesome city of Chicago.”
Erica O’Kelly, Stevens Institute of Technology
“I am excited to attend Stevens because it was everything I was looking for in a school from the beginning of freshman year. I wanted a small campus close to a city with a great engineering program. I can’t wait to be a part of the soccer team next year and continue to develop memories and experiences with new people.”
Bella Pabon, Iona College
“I am excited to attend Iona College in the fall because I will be getting to meet new people from all over and get the chance to learn from amazing professors. I am also excited to explore all the opportunities Iona has to offer while being so close to the city. I am also happy I get to continue swimming while I attend Iona.”
Alessandra Sanfratello, Lehigh University
“I’ve known I’ve wanted to go to Lehigh since I was in the seventh grade, ever since I stepped onto campus for the first time when my brother was visiting colleges. It has always been my dream school. I took many more visits since then, and I fell in love with Lehigh more and more each time, which is what really urged me to apply early decision. Overall, the challenging education, the strong support system from professors and students, the safe and nurturing campus feeling, and the sense of family at Lehigh is why I ultimately choose to apply early there. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the class of 2021!”
Lily Scott, Bates College
“I’m excited to go to Bates because of the people I met at the school when I visited, as well as the school’s location. I loved the academic atmosphere when I sat in on classes, and I’m excited to contribute to an up-and-coming swim team.”
Kyla Whitlock, New Jersey Institute of Technology
“I’m looking forward to going to NJIT next year because I know it will prepare me for a career in architecture. I can’t wait to be at a school that will allow me to improve in a subject that I love and plan to do in the future.”
Malia Wolf, Lehigh University
“The fact that I found a school where I could swim and challenge myself in the classroom was a great experience, and I can’t wait to be a Mountain Hawk.”