What’s In a Dream: Dream College

When I first started thinking about college, I had my eyes set on Princeton. There was something about the name, the history, the prestige, the ivy-covered buildings, that felt like a dream. I imagined myself walking through its iconic campus, surrounded by students passionate about their career. At the time, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to study, probably psychology, so Princeton seemed like a place where I could figure it out along the way. It was the perfect place…..or so I thought.
As the years passed, my passion for animals, something that had been a constant in my life, started to shape my academic interests. I realized I didn’t just love animals; I wanted to dedicate my life working with them. The clarity hit me sometime in high school, and once I knew I wanted to study Animal Science, my dream school shifted. Princeton didn’t offer the program I needed, but Clemson did, and not just any program. Clemson has one of the best Animal Science programs in the United States. From that point on, Clemson became my number one school. I toured the campus and completely fell in love with it. Everything was close together and within walking distance. The energy of the campus, the community feel, and the fact that it was only a few hours drive from home made it feel just right. I could truly picture myself living there for the next four years and throughout senior year, that dream stayed alive.
Unfortunately, as life has it, I didn’t get into Clemson. I was definitely disappointed when I found out. I had done my research, my stats were solid, and I genuinely thought I had a good shot. Out of all the schools I applied to, Clemson felt the most right, it had the perfect program I wanted, a great campus, and it wasn’t too far from home. Plus, I didn’t want to stay in Georgia for college, however money was a big factor. I was hoping for a fresh start in a new environment, and Clemson seemed like the perfect place for that. So when the rejection came, I felt pretty dejected. I wasn’t devastated, but I was caught off guard. I didn’t know what my next step would be. I had applied to other schools, but none of them felt as close to what I wanted as Clemson did. It left me with a lot of questions and uncertainty about what was next.
Then a few weeks later, I got an email from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. The college was probably my fifth choice on my list, but I hadn’t paid it much attention after sending my application. I opened the letter expecting just another acceptance, and then I saw it: a full ride. Between the scholarships and financial aid, my entire tuition was covered. I was stunned. The more I looked into Wheaton, the more I realized it might actually be the best possible place for me. While it doesn’t have a specific Animal Science major, they have strong programs in biology and environmental science, including a minor in animal behavior. I watched campus tour videos and attended webinars, and the community came across as warm, inclusive, and incredibly supportive. Choosing Wheaton wasn’t hard. After coming to terms with my rejection from Clemson, one thing was very clear: money. I don’t come from unlimited financial resources, and I knew I didn’t want to spend the next ten to twenty years drowning in student loan debt. While academics and campus life mattered, financial aid became the deciding factor. Wheaton made it possible for me to go to college without worrying about money, and that kind of peace is worth more than anything.
It’s also kind of amazing that I still get to fulfill one of my longtime dreams: going to college out of state, especially in the North. I’ve always wanted to experience life in a different part of the country, and Massachusetts is about as far from home as I could have imagined when I started my college journey. The weather, the culture, the scenery, it all feels new and exciting. Even though I didn’t end up where I expected, I’m starting to believe I ended up where I’m meant to be. Looking back, it’s crazy to think how much can change in a year. My dream school evolved from an Ivy League name to a campus where I felt like I truly belonged. Then it changed again, not out of choice but out of necessity and I’m proud of where I landed. Wheaton may not have been my first pick, but it’s a place I’m excited to call home, and honestly, I can’t wait to start.