College Matriculation

Lourdes Ronquillo, Tufts University

As a first-generation student, I had little knowledge of the process or potential schools and felt anxious about how it would unfold. However, with Ms. Michalak’s guidance and support, I felt less alone navigating it all. At first, I didn’t have a specific school in mind, but I had a clear list of criteria: location, size, a strong sense of community, civic engagement, service, and global learning opportunities. At that point, I had never heard of Tufts, but a close friend recommended it, saying they thought of me when they visited. Trusting their judgment, I looked into it and immediately found that Tufts checked off each of my boxes. In the fall, I was accepted into their virtual fly-in program. Even though it was online, I felt an indescribable pull towards Tufts. After speaking with students and hearing their honest insights about campus life, classes, and extracurriculars, I couldn’t stop smiling at the thought of joining such a community where I could explore different avenues. The experience sealed it for me, and I ranked Tufts as my top choice. I am incredibly grateful to say that the day after my 18th birthday, I was matched with Tufts with a full-ride scholarship and will soon call it my new home this summer as a member of their BLAST program. 

ALLISON LEE, WILLIAMS COLLEGE & D3 LACROSSE

From the start of high school, I knew I wanted to play lacrosse at the collegiate level while immersing myself in a challenging academic environment. That dual ambition guided decisions I made on the field, in the classroom, and in my college exploration. As I began to define what I wanted from a college experience, a few priorities quickly stood out: the ability to explore a broad range of academic disciplines, the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with professors, and a campus culture grounded in kindness and genuine connection. That said, the recruiting and search process wasn’t always as exciting or straightforward as I had imagined. At times, the process felt isolating and burdensome, and I began to reevaluate what I truly wanted. I realized I was looking for a place where I could thrive both academically and athletically—a school that encouraged balance, not just excellence in one area—which led me to consider Division III programs where that balance is not only possible but encouraged. Despite visiting on a cold, rainy Wednesday in February, the campus felt warm in a way I hadn’t experienced elsewhere. Students greeted me with genuine smiles, professors took time to talk with me, and there was an immediate sense of belonging. The people I met at Williams were not only passionate about their studies, but also incredibly kind. 

Throughout this process, I was fortunate to have incredible mentors by my side. I spent many hours speaking with Ms. Michalak and Dr. Muoio, whose guidance and encouragement helped me navigate both the emotional and practical challenges of this journey. Their wisdom reminded me to stay grounded, stay curious, and stay true to myself. In the end, I chose Williams because it felt like the right place for me—where I belonged, who I wanted to be surrounded by, and how I wanted to grow over the next four years.

HAWA BAKA, WELLESLEY COLLEGE

I feel so grateful and blessed to share that I’ll be attending Wellesley College this fall to study computer science! When I started the college process, I was really nervous. I was scared of falling in love with a school and not getting in, and affordability was a top priority. I knew I wanted a close-knit, supportive community. Ms. Michalak helped me find schools that fit those needs and suggested applying Early Decision to one to increase my chances of admission. At first, I was completely against it, because it felt like too big of a commitment. But after thinking about it more, it started to make sense. I narrowed it down to three schools and visited all of them. The first two were close to home, but when I visited Wellesley, something just clicked. I felt at home right away. Everyone was so welcoming, and students shared how accessible professors were and how no one gets left behind in classes. That sense of support really stood out to me. As a computer science major, I’m excited about all the opportunities Wellesley offers, like cross-registering at MIT and being so close to Boston for internships. Plus, the support for first-gen students like me has already opened doors I never imagined. This process taught me that what’s meant for you will work out. Hard work pays off, and I’ve learned I really can achieve anything I put my mind to.

ALEXANDRA DURISH, VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY

If you know me, you know that I have been wearing Villanova merchandise since I was little. I grew up in a Villanova family—my parents both attended the university. However, as I began researching colleges and exploring different universities, I became excited about the possibility of attending various schools and fell in love with many of them. While Villanova was not my top choice throughout the entire process, my in-depth research revealed numerous connections between Sacred Heart and Villanova. This was really important to me because of how vital the Sacred Heart has been to my growth as an individual. We have so many Stuart alums who have gone to Villanova and loved it. After talking with them, I  knew it was the place that I needed to be. 

MILLA KRESS, SMITH COLLEGE

In my sophomore year, we toured a bunch of colleges, and one of the places we stopped was Smith. After getting an impromptu tour from my friend's sister, I absolutely loved it. I thought it was beautiful and loved the energy on campus. She shared a lot of her own experiences at college, and they sounded really intriguing and exciting to me. When I got home, I looked more into Smith—its history and the people who’ve gone there—and it just seemed really cool to me. Kind of like Stuart, but more.

I’ve loved going to an all-girls school. It’s such a comfortable environment—there’s less pressure, less anxiety, and fewer nonsensical things to deal with that tend to bother me. The longer I stay in this environment, the more comfortable I feel being myself and expressing my opinions. By the time I’m ready to work, get a job, and socialize more, I’ll have built up confidence from going to such a good school with such a supportive environment.

CHARLOTTE CLOSE, ECKERD COLLEGE

Going into junior year, I didn’t know exactly where I wanted to go to college—but I knew I loved animals and dreamed of working with nature, especially through marine biology. That same year, I had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand through SHAEP (Sacred Heart Academic Exchange Program), and I absolutely fell in love with traveling and gained a new sense of independence. That experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and opened me up to the idea of a new adventure. Eckerd checked all the boxes: a liberal arts education, a campus on the beach, and the perfect place to explore my passions and take the next step in my journey.

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