As Iola High School senior Allie Fager sat down to do her homework on a Thursday evening earlier this month, she decided to check one more time to see if she had been selected to attend Creighton University.
She logged on to an online portal and discovered her dream had come true. Shed been accepted for an early decision to attend Creighton, in Omaha, Neb.
She immediately called her mother, Jo, who at that moment was in Kansas City.
Oh my goodness! her mother exclaimed, and seconds later added, I just yelled that out in Starbucks. The barista says congratulations.
Allie told her mom to tell the barista thanks.
It was an exciting moment, learning her application to her first-choice college was approved.
Then reality started to sink in.
Now what?
What happens after youve been accepted? There are months to go before National College Decision Day on May 1, when college-bound seniors declare their intention to attend a specific college or university.
Allie has a lot to think about between now and then.
Some of the stress has been lifted, of course.
Its a feeling of relief, but the race still isnt over, she said. Its like everything Ive worked for has been recognized and the future, which was not guaranteed before this point, is something that I have to look forward to.
But she still has decisions to make. She needs to decide if Creighton is truly the school she wants to attend. Shes also been accepted to Kansas State University, a school she also cares about and one that has educated members of her family, including her mother.
She needs to apply for scholarships. She needs to send her ACT scores to Creighton, which has pre-approved scholarships based on those test scores.
She and her parents, Stacey and Jo Fager, need to sit down and discuss financial plans. They need to decide if or when to put down a deposit for housing. If they do so, that will send a clear signal of her intent to attend Creighton.
Seniors actually have a lot more time than they think they do, its just that everything gets so rushed, she said.
And most of all, Allie and her family will have to prepare for a major life change. Theyll be transitioning to a new phase. Allie, the oldest of four children, will leave home and become an independent adult.
Its an intimidating prospect, she said. But she believes Creighton will be the best choice as she takes the next steps toward adulthood.
