My Journey to Emerson at a 3 Year Glance

Just about three years ago (it will be exactly three years in March), I set out on my journey to Emerson College. Having only a GED in hand I had to face the reality that I wasn't exactly Emerson material... yet. I knew I had the passion and drive that Emerson looks for, but I didn't have the credentials, experience, and resume to show as proof to the kind of person I am. This meant I had to attend community college in order to have all the necessary requirements fulfilled before applying and giving myself a chance at being accepted.  I wasn't exactly thrilled about this but it was what I had to do.

Bunker Hill Community College for some reason had always stood out to me. If I had to be stuck going to community college in the first place, I might as well go to Bunker Hill. To my surprise, going to Bunker Hill has changed my life. But this entry isn't about my experience at Bunker Hill.

On February 8th, 2013 I submitted my Common Application and Emerson Supplements. All other required documents I had delivered in January. A few days later I received my email from Emerson admission giving me my Emerson ID so I could sign into the Application Portal and check the status of my application, as well as view the list of required documents and the dates they received them. I was so excited that I even took a screen shot of that page. I can't believe my journey to get to Emerson has finally reached its ending. Now I await their decision.

That's when I started over analyzing, as I do... What if I get accepted to Emerson but I'm not actually cut out for what I love to do? Not only that, but to truly gain experience and take advantage of what Emerson has to offer, I must get involved in the college's organizations. How will I be able to balance a full time course-load, one which I am sure is more demanding of me than that of Bunker Hill, and join clubs, make art, work, and pass... all at the same time? Will I find what I am really good at? Will I find my niche?

I have also taken a much different route than a lot of the people I know who are interested in film, TV, acting, production, etc. So many of them are always working on some sort of project. They have a portfolio, even if it is amateur, they are always creating. I, on the other hand, put creating on hold to focus on my academic and leadership skills. I put all of me into building the kind of student that shouldn't have a hard time being accepted by four year universities, particularly Emerson. Once upon a time all I did was create, perform, and film. Then real life happened and it became harder to do. When the time came to go to Bunker Hill, it was now or never. I had to get my act together. Which meant focusing my time and abilities on other responsibilities. I worried that because I haven't been so "film focused" that this might mean I am not cut out for the environment at Emerson.

When I mentioned some of my concerns to Ryan he did a good job at comforting me and reminding me that when I go to Emerson, it is going to be a whole new experience. The kind of stress I may have is going to be so different from the stress I have now. I will be busy and stressed, but it will be much more rewarding because I will be working on the things I love. I won't be stressed over the amount of reading and writing I have to do for some Gen Ed class that I have to take. I will be stressing over things I actually enjoy. Also, it doesn't matter if I took a different path and have created less in the past few years. That doesn't predict my chances at success or failure. I could have a more successful career over some of those who payed more attention to creating and less to professionalism, and time management when they were students.

This all got me thinking about my preconceived notions about attending a community college. I didn't think I could learn or gain anything new that I hadn't already learned from my struggles in the real world. I couldn't have been more wrong. My life has changed in so many wonderful ways since becoming a student at Bunker Hill. I was awoken to my talents, potential, and purpose. Getting involved in things I never imagined for myself has shown me that my voice is valued, important, and has power. Opportunities have presented themselves to me that I never conceived possible for a community college. If I can be surprised by the opportunities and growth that Bunker Hill has to offer, just imagine what could be waiting for me at Emerson. I am naive to what Emerson has to offer. I mean really offer. I know they have connections within the industry,  professors who are professionals in their professions outside of the school, state of the art facilities, successful alumni, wonderful organizations, and the perfect environment for students to cultivate their skills. But until I am a student at Emerson and living the experiences, I won't fully understand exactly what that school will do for me.

Until then, I have videos to watch and students' stories to listen to and feel inspired by. I can only dream of what is to come for me.

Passion Links Emerson Students: A video showcasing the opportunities available to unsuspecting students. :)

Alumni Speak about their success because of Emerson.

More student testimonies about their involvement at Emerson.

A video about the doors that Emerson has opened to a student's success.

Make Yourself

Published on May 17, 2010.

I have gone with nothing for too long and I don’t want to continue to do so. When I moved to CA I packed my car with the most important possessions I had. The only possessions I had. When I found out I couldn’t move back to LA and I had no choice but to let someone take my car to donate it and ship me what belongings were left, I was severely devastated and lost.

I may not love Massachusetts, but Massachusetts is where I am. I am going to use this opportunity to finally get myself together… the right way. I can’t wait to finally start school! I am even excited about the Gen Ed stuff. But, honestly, I cannot wait to be in an environment where I can not only have equipment to use and learn from, but to network with people just as passionate about the arts as I am. Not to mention how connected to the entertainment industry Emerson is, period.

Living in Mass may not be exactly what I want, but what matters is getting to a point where I don’t have to always be in a position I don’t want to be in, but need to get out of.

I had a fear about going to school. It made me so nervous that I was going to devote that much of my time/life to something. It would mean once I made the decision to go and apply to college, I am in it for the long run. There would be no turning back.  Then, when I thought about the age I would be graduating (depending on a few things the ages are 27, 28, 29)… I WILL BE FRICKEN 30 WHEN I GRADUATE! That also discouraged me from wanting to go to college.

I felt that by 30 I should already have a career-not starting one!! But then I also thought about where I am now. Nowhere.

Do I really think without learning a trade that I could ever really be happy with where I end up in my future? I don’t want to be in retail or fast food my whole life. Making minimum wage or close to it, struggling from paycheck to paycheck. I also wouldn’t want to be a stagehand again.

I was a stagehand for 3 years and my word it was so much fun!! I met so many great people who I am still friends with today. I got to experience a life style most don’t get the chance to. And it was a job I actually enjoyed. Until I realized I am as far as I will ever go with that job. I knew if I stayed at that company, or any other production company, I would always be just a stagehand. With that thought in mind I moved to LA to find more.

I did find more, but I also accidentally found my way back east too. Either way, I put down the clock and took out the compass. I cannot focus on the time or my age, I need to focus on the direction I want to be heading. It all starts with you.  It may never be a quick and easy path. Heck, it may not even be something you are enthusiastic about doing at first. Just remember, every step taken is another step closer to where you want to be. Put in the time and effort, use diligence and perseverance, and you will succeed.

Concentrate on the joy you will get from doing something with yourself! Even though I have to learn Gen Eds for a BA, I am still excited to learn, have homework, and feel useful! Keep the big idea in mind, feel it in your heart, and you shouldn’t find it hard to make it through and to make yourself.