Early Decision

After visiting Sewanee for the first time, I already knew it was where I was meant to be. From the welcoming community to the challenging academics to the extremely distinguished alumni track record, Sewanee had everything I was looking for, and after being here for three years, I've only found more reasons to love it here. I applied Early Decision to Sewanee, and it was actually the only school I applied to. I had never been so certain of a decision in my life, and three years later, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

After my first visit, it became the benchmark for every other campus I visited. I found Sewanee part of every conversation of mine about college. I realized that two questions persisted: 1. How is this school like Sewanee? 2. Would I regret not going to Sewanee if I went here? Soon it became evident that my choice had been made. I decided to apply ED because it was either Sewanee or the closest thing to it for me.

While being matched with Sewanee through the Posse Foundation played an important role in my decision to apply Early Decision, it was not the only reason. As I learned more about the university, I could genuinely see myself becoming part of the campus community. I saw Sewanee as a place where I could make a meaningful difference, actively engage in campus life, and grow both personally and academically. The close-knit community, leadership opportunities, and emphasis on service aligned with the kind of college experience I wanted. I believed Sewanee would challenge me to become a stronger leader while allowing me to contribute to the campus in meaningful ways, and that belief ultimately made Early Decision the right choice for me.

As an international student living on the other side of the world I had no other option than to watch YouTube videos and join virtual info sessions and virtual tours at 3 a.m. Days, weeks, months passed, I was still watching innumerable “The day in the life of a college student” videos and yet none of those colleges felt like a place I could belong. Then, a video appeared on my screen titled “Sewanee’s Light Will Guide You”. Of course, to someone who has never heard of this place before, it seemed a little strange. How will this guide me? So, out of curiosity, definitely intrigued by the unusual title, I clicked on it. Instantly, all the buildings lit up with a glow, the trees swayed in tranquility and it all infused the song perfectly. It was as if the video was personally calling me home to Sewanee. Applying Early Decision was probably one of the easiest decisions I made. I came here hoping to find a college; instead, I found a home. I wish I could stop time and prolong the next two years, hoping that my time here never comes to an end. 

I chose to ED to Sewanee because I immediately felt at home. There is such a vibrant community of scholars and friends that live on the Mountain, and there's no denying that the people make the place. I have found immense belonging at Sewanee. Prior to even going on my first tour as a junior in high school I felt the energy of the campus, the strong connections between people, and the motto of EQB ringing throughout conversations. It is my place, and I knew that from the very start. 

Applying Early Decision to Sewanee felt like the natural choice from the moment I first visited campus. Although Sewanee was one of the later schools I considered during my college search, it quickly became clear that it offered everything I was looking for. It was the one place where I could combine my passion for swimming, undergraduate research, and active involvement in the community in a way that no other school could. Because of the unique opportunities Sewanee offers and the supportive community I experienced throughout the process, applying Early Decision was an easy and confident choice.