Thank you so much for the comments! @dreamsontheway I’m pretty sure you’re me from a slightly different life (just waiting on Northeastern, practical mother, dreamer father, promise of post-undergrad funds, etc). I’ve definitely gotten over just UChicago, mostly because I didn’t let myself obsess over it in the first place because of that whole price tag issue. I’ve been told since about 6th grade that I won’t be able to go somewhere like UChicago or the like, which is hard when I’ve been surrounded by many quite rich kids in the magnet programs I’ve been in for the last 7 years. Even then, it’s hard to come to terms with being in such a different situation than everyone I’m around (boyfriend going to Harvard, best friend going to MIT, etc.). UChicago was my little last ditch effort at reaching a future I know can’t be mine. Somehow, it doesn’t get easier to tell people why I’m not applying to 75 ivy league schools, no matter how many times it comes up.
I’m visiting UCF and Temple (the only other school we can afford) in about a month and I really really hope I reach the same moment of clarity other good honors colleges seem to provide (and I’m really happy you enjoyed your time at UGA!).
As for interests, my interests definitely lie in poli sci, history, and english (absolute dream job would be a speechwriter), but I’ve get ten billion other interests (as you can definitely tell from my APs) that I’d love to try out, so I think UCF’s 5 year guarantee of COA+stipends might work out really well.
I’m glad this whole thing is just about over. No matter where I end up, I CAN’T WAIT for legitimately tough classes. I feel like APs (especially humanities/social studies) just aren’t that challenging so I’m pretty sure I’ll be happy as long as I can really push myself. Again, thank you for the comments and for the general support! This helped more than I ever expected :))