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.

Costa Rica Bound

After a night of doubt, the results are in... I'M GOING TO COSTA RICA!!

Last summer I started to research the Costa Rica study abroad program offered through my school. The more I learned about it the more I had to go on this trip! I spent the next several months writing and perfecting my essay and application requirements. I also spent months preparing myself for the interview. During random parts of my day, every day, up until the interview, I would ask myself questions I thought would be asked during the interview. I even started running several days a week to start preparing myself physically if I were to be chosen.

The night before the interview I stayed up late writing out bullet points and answers to memorize. I had to make sure that in the case of blanking out because of anxiety, that I wouldn't! I sat and rehearsed my answers for hours. I put every piece of myself into this. I haven't wanted something so bad since Tom Hiddleston.

Ok, ok... I haven't wanted something this bad since Emerson College.

After my interview I felt good about everything. I felt confident about the quality of my interview and I knew I had a very strong essay. Though I wasn't being over confident, I still knew I gave it my all.

I was told come January 11th decisions for study abroad would be made. The anticipation was gruesome.

January 10th rolled around and suddenly several friends of mine received phone calls informing them of their acceptance into the study abroad program. I kept waiting for my phone to ring too... it never did. Once 5:00 pm rolled around, the time at which the International Center closes, I started to lose hope. I would get texts and read posts on Facebook about everyone's acceptance.

Even though I knew I gave a good interview, I started to think maybe my luck wasn't changing after all. I am use to a life where a lot is taken and not much good is given. A life where I am given more hurdles than breaks. I am so use to putting myself out there and receiving nothing in return... In fact, more would be taken from me.

I started to question my possibility of getting into the program. I gave it my best and what if my best wasn't enough? What if I am not meant to have nice things? What if I will never be chosen for anything I set out to be a part of?

I know that might seem like a lot of emotions for "just a study abroad trip"... but this trip represents so much for me. Since attending Bunker Hill I am actually making REAL progress in my life. Being chosen to go to Costa Rica would show that my hard work really does pay off. It would show that maybe I really am good enough to accomplish what I set out to do. It would also give me the opportunity to experience something life changing. Studying in Costa Rica has become a dream of mine; just like interning at the BBC has been a dream of mine.

With that said, I was bummed out the whole night of the 10th. My boyfriend kept trying to be optimistic but I'd rather be hurt that night and pleasantly surprised the next day than get my hopes up just to be let down. The whole night I had dream after dream about going to the International Center and asking about my acceptance. Every dream ended with me being chosen. When I would wake up, I would feel all sad again because it was all just a dream.

I knew that I had to put myself out of my misery by calling them. I needed to get an answer, whether it was a "yes" or a "no", I just needed to know. That way I could deal with it and move on. The office opens at 9:00 am but I didn't want to be that eager and call right away... So I waited for 9:40. haha

My heart raced as I called the office.

Office: "Hello"
Me: "Hi, I am calling about the study abroad decisions."
Office: "Ok, hold one moment please."

Heather: "Hello, this is Heather speaking..."
Me: "Hello Heather, my name is Sarah LaFlamme. I am calling about the study abroad decisions."
Heather: "Have you received a phone call yet?"
Me: "No, I was told today was the day to find out so I wanted to call."
Heather: "Ok, let me access the files. Please give me a moment."
Me: "Ok."

Heather: "So, you're going to Costa Rica?"
Me: "I hope so. That is what I applied for."
Heather: "You have been awarded the scholarship to study in Costa Rica."
Me: "Oh my gosh, really?! Thank you so much!"
Heather: "You actually did really well!" (talking about the point system/my grade)
Me: "I am so happy to hear that. Thank you!"

I was then told that I will be receiving a call in the near future with more information, as well as receive an acceptance package in the mail.

I am so happy and excited. I am also very proud of the hard work I put into this opportunity.

Maybe my luck is starting to change?