I literally just got this text today:
“I committed to OSU!!!! Thank you for all of your help Abby, I couldn’t have done it without you!!”
That is absolutely the Best. Thing. Ever.
A happy senior, fully confident in her choice, diving in with both feet as she transitions into this new exciting phase.
And look at how adorable she is!
With her permission, I share these photos that Vivian and her mom texted me, and my own picture wearing my Oregon State hat in solidarity.
What I especially appreciate about Vivian’s story, is that at the beginning of our journey, she DID NOT want to go to OSU. Even though this was her parent’s alma mater (and mine, but I digress…). Even though it was clearly a cost-effective option (public in-state school). And even though she was a slam dunk for admittance with a GPA much higher than the average for admitted students.
In her mind, she really wanted “more of an adventure.” Which is fair!
So Vivian really embraced the process of exploring her options. Learning more about what’s out there, what she wanted out of her college experience, and finding the best fit. She dug in, looking through a number of different schools, learning more about herself and what she was hoping for out of college along the way. Fitting in time for research in the midst of a busy high school schedule, being honest about frustrations and procrastination, and finding motivation again. It was imperfect. There were moments where she felt discouraged, unsure, and understandably overwhelmed. But she leaned into the process and made it a priority.
In the end, Vivian ended up with a list of nine great fit choices, turned in polished on-time applications, and was accepted to all nine schools!
Fast forward to her EPIC spring break trip to go visit the schools she wasn’t able to see in person due to the pandemic, and her subsequent return home to further contemplate her final decision.
In our last conversation, I was struck by Vivian’s mature and well-thought-out reasoning for why she was now not only considering OSU, but it was in her top three. Then her top two. And ultimately where she officially committed to attend.
I celebrate this with her fully confident that she DECIDED on OSU and made a mindful choice. She is not attending OSU just because I went there, or just because her parents went there, or just because it’s easy, less expensive and she didn’t know her other choices. She CHOSE OSU from nine amazing, great fit options where, frankly, she would also have likely done well. All because SHE feels this is the right move.
Isn’t that the best? My kingdom for all students heading to college to feel so good about their decision!
Is all of this going to guarantee that she is absolutely without a doubt going to have the BEST college experience ever? Well no, that’s just impossible to 100% predict. But I feel pretty darn sure that Vivian is entering into this next phase feeling really solid about her choice, fully ready to embrace all it offers and setting herself up for success in whatever comes next.
Cheers to you Vivian, and I wish you all the best! And get ready, I a DEFINITELY driving down to take you out for a slice of pizza at American Dream on Monroe! 
