Many seniors will be starting a new chapter of their lives by attending college. Two seniors that were accepted into their dream schools are Aidan Smith and Katie Meyer.
Smith will be attending Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He plans to study biological sciences in the fall with hopes of going the medical route. Cornell is a difficult school to get into with a 7.5% acceptance rate. Smith started high school hoping to get into a prestigious college.
“I took all of the most rigorous classes available in high school, took extra DMACC online classes, was heavily involved in band, started a tutoring organization, got a 33 on the ACT, got a 3.991 unweighted/4.189 weighted GPA, volunteered for over 100 hours, and wrote/edited many college essays,” said Smith.
Smith wrote about living in a small town and his dedication to academics, band, and helping others any way he could in his college essays. He also applied to 20 colleges, which according to Smith, is a good way to have options.
“I knew how selective the schools I was applying to were,” said Smith. “By applying to 20, I gave myself the highest chance of getting into the type of school I wanted to go to.”
Smith was thrilled when he got his acceptance letter. He was happy to be chosen to be in the Cornell class of 2029.
Going out of state and leaving friends and family for college can be difficult, but Smith is looking forward to the change.
“I want to experience living in a completely new environment with new people and new opportunities,” said Smith. “I also wanted to go to a prestigious school that would challenge me academically.’’
Meyer is another senior who is going to college out of state. Meyer will be attending the University of Tennessee at Martin, while riding in their D1 equestrian team. She plans on majoring in cell and molecular biology and possibly double majoring in math.
Meyer loves science classes, and she feels that taking STEM classes at PHS helped her find out what she is good at. She is very grateful for the opportunities that Pella High has given to her. However, she is also looking forward to new adventures in a new place.
“I am going out of state, and the biggest reason was I wanted a change of scenery. I want to explore outside of Pella, and meet new people,” said Meyer. “I only looked at one in state school which was Iowa, and I just didn’t want to be that close to home.’’
Meyer was relieved when she was accepted into the University of Tennessee. She is excited that she will be able to be on the equestrian team and pursue the hobby she loves.
Leaving high school can be scary and hard to take in, but going to college is a new chapter and a new beginning for seniors. Smith and Meyer are looking forward to the new beginning at Cornell and the University of Tennessee.
