Halfway through the school year, many seniors already know where they are going to college. With the early decision binding option and rolling admission, some students have fully committed to their top choices.

Waiting to hear back from colleges can be nerve-wracking, but getting accepted into a dream school can be an exciting moment. In mid-December, senior David Bae was accepted into the University of Virginia to study computer engineering.

“I was at work when my mother texted that the UVA decisions had come out a little earlier than expected,” Bae said. “I quickly opened my phone, logged into the admissions portal and opened my letter. The confetti was amazing and I had the biggest smile on my face for the rest of the night.”

Applying early decision allows seniors to hear back earlier than others, giving them some relief, knowing that all their hard work paid off, although seniors must keep up the motivation until the end of the year to keep their spot in their future college.

“All I have on my mind now is keeping my grades high, which is easier to do without the pressure of college on my shoulders,” Bae said.

Apart from just getting into college, many are already planning their course of study and what they would like to accomplish academically. Some students aimed for specific majors within schools if they have a deep interest in that particular area. Most students apply to a major unless their core grades are weak or they are unsure of their interests.

Senior Kai Fergerstrom was accepted into the prestigious Carnegie Mellon Computer Science program.

“Carnegie Mellon has a top artificial intelligence and robotics program that aligns with my career interest,” Fergerstrom said.

Aside from classes, many students look at other aspects of the school to make a decision such as sports, recreational activities and academic opportunities. Many academically focused students seek out schools with well-known research programs according to BestColleges.

“I’m also interested in playing club soccer, taking advantage of Carnegie Mellon’s research opportunities and experiencing living in Pittsburgh,” Fergerstrom said.

A large component of the college experience is life on campus. Many students choose their dream school based on where they feel “at home” or what they feel is a good learning and living environment. According to BestColleges, personal and professional growth occurs outside the classroom as well, making it important to examine the campus environment. Senior Natalie Farello was accepted into Virginia Tech and will be studying psychology in pursuit of becoming a therapist after college.

“When I visited Virginia Tech for the first time, I fell in love with the campus. I especially adore the architectural style and the bricks the buildings are made of,” Farello said.

No matter the school students choose to commit to, they feel a sense of security knowing that they have a home that welcomes them for the next chapter of their lives.

“After I toured, I found that I was really able to see myself living and learning there,” Farello said. “I’m beyond excited to be attending Virginia Tech next fall and I can’t wait to be on campus.”