- Rutgers University - Class of 2029
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When I thought about applying to college, I was sure all colleges would reject me. I didn’t have a spectacular resume. I was homeschooled most of my life, and I had limited access to structured clubs and extracurriculars. Also, I didn’t know what I wanted to major in, so I didn’t know what I should be doing to prepare.
Asking the right questions
At first, I didn’t know where to start. Asking myself questions like “Who can I talk to for help?” or “How can I create a path that feels right for me?” helped me navigate the process and identify my goals. I’m shy, so reaching out to people for college information was really uncomfortable. I started small by sending emails to people, and this slowly built my confidence. Eventually I ended up talking to admissions officers and students at the colleges I wanted to attend.
It was empowering to realize how many resources were out there once I started asking the right questions and advocating for myself. Each interaction chipped away at my fear.
Keen on Kean UNiversity
Being a low-income student, I wanted a school that was affordable more than anything else. But as I clarified my goal to one day attend a top law school, my priorities shifted. I looked for schools that offered flexibility for a double major, strong pre-law support, and internships in both tech and business.
I was convinced I would go to Kean University, which I had visited for a scholarship event. You hear of people saying things like “I can’t explain it, I just know I have to be here.” It was exactly like that with Kean. It was close to home and had a beautiful campus, and the relatively small number of students made me think internships might be less competitive than at other schools.
Application Anxiety – and Disappointment
After creating my Common App account, I felt like I couldn’t take a stress-free breath. I worried a lot about the personal narratives I had to write. I started a Word document and brain dumped everything into it, even if I didn't completely know how I’d use the writing later. Essay ideas would come to me at 2 a.m. and I'd scramble out of sleep to write them down. Since my resume lacked a long list of accomplishments, I emphasized my beliefs, passions and personality.
I finished my applications at the end of December and hoped for the best. But as my decisions arrived, so did more stress! I was admitted to many schools – with financial aid – but the financial gap was still a lot to bridge. One of my worst moments was calculating how much I’d still owe after graduation, even with scholarships.
I appealed to Kean for more aid, but they couldn’t offer me more. At that point, I felt everything I worked for slip away. I felt crushed and lost, with only a month left before decision day.
How I Made My College Choice
In the end, it came down to Rutgers-Camden and Ramapo College. I didn’t consult any of my friends, and distanced myself from my family, just because I didn't want to hear biased opinions like “stay in New York,” “go to a CUNY” or “wait a semester and reapply to X school.” After comparing costs, distance, clubs, internships, and every other factor I could think of, Rutgers was my best choice. Once again, I appealed for more aid. After what happened with Kean, I tried not to get my hopes up. While I waited for Rutgers’ reply, I sent in my application to community college, which felt like admitting defeat.
Unexpectedly, Rutgers-Camden worked with me! They not only increased my aid, but they also supported me through the process of changing my major at the last minute (from psychology to computer science). That generosity and flexibility made me feel seen and valued. It also helped me realize that out of all the colleges on my list, Rutgers-Camden offered me the best combination of affordability, support, and opportunity for personal growth. Once I committed, they immediately welcomed me with open arms, and I felt excited to join a community where I felt like I’d fit right in.
The Money Factor
Scholarships from Rutgers-Camden will pay about 45% of my total college costs. I also qualified for the maximum federal Pell Grant. I’ll be covering the rest with federal and private loans, work study, and working during school and summer breaks.
What I learned
For me, applying to college was about personal growth as much as it was about my goals. The most rewarding part was learning how to advocate for myself, whether it was appealing for more financial aid, reaching out to admissions, or doing college research.
My Advice
- Asking the right questions can change everything. Don’t be afraid to ask awkward questions or questions about something you think is miniscule.
- When working on your application gets overwhelming (because it will) remember that it all doesn’t have to be done today.
- Don’t sell yourself short. If you didn’t do as many impressive things as some of your classmates, it doesn’t mean some colleges won’t value your other qualities.
- Accept that the process is messy, crazy and non-linear. Throw everyone a smile and eventually it won’t feel that scary.
How CollegeData Helped Me on My Road to College
I used CollegeData’s College Search to look for schools that were affordable in my ideal location. College Chances helped me estimate my chances of getting into these schools, Scholarship Finder helped me find scholarships I was actually eligible for, and the student stories helped connect me with real people's success stories and feel hopeful about my college path. The entire website made me feel much more organized throughout my college journey and helped me plan efficiently.