By far the worst part of the whole college application process has been waiting. After my applications were sent out on a Friday, the waiting began. I was not to be held in suspense for long, however. I received word from Husson exactly a week after I sent in the applications. The singing telegram informing me of my acceptance did little to satiate my curiosity. Husson was my last choice college. The good news was that I knew I would attend college. The bad news was that my appetite for more good news was whetted.

So the waiting continued. Then I heard from the University of New England that, not only was I accepted, but I had received a $12,000 merit scholarship. Of course, my parents were thrilled to know that almost half of my tuition could be covered for all seven years of schooling. It was also heartening to know that I would at least be going to an awesome college regardless of whether I was accepted into my first choice, Quinnipiac University. Ecstatic though I was, the letter I really wanted to receive had not yet arrived. I settled in for more waiting.

When I arrived back home after an overnight Senior Retreat, my mom excitedly handed me a fat letter from Quinnipiac. She could barely contain herself as I opened the letter and shielded it from her view while I read. After the first word of “Congratulations,” a big smile crept across my face. Finally, I received the letter I had been waiting for. I was accepted into my “perfect match” school. Two months later, I learned that I had qualified for a $10,000 merit scholarship, but for only five years.

A small hitch brought my celebration of acceptance to an abrupt halt. My parents found the scholarship at UNE more attractive. I am now to wait until we file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and find out what Quinnipiac could offer us financially. Only then can I make my final college decision.

When will the waiting end, if ever? After I have made my college decision, I will be waiting for Involvement, then Graduation, then actually going to college. I realized one night while lying in bed generally the time I do my best thinking that this waiting can be equated to the climb right before the first drop of a roller coaster. The first climb is the biggest; the wait to gain the top is the longest. Every moment one is sitting in that car, the anticipation is growing. One is scared yet excited to take that first stomach-jumping drop. I am definitely anxious about what the future holds, but I cannot wait to take the plunge into the wide world of college.