TBT: My first visit to St. Mikes

Working in Admissions and giving tours all summer has made me think back to when I was visiting colleges the summer before my senior year of high school. My mom and I did a lot of research about schools that fit my criteria: small, liberal arts, strong academics. I didn't have a major decided at the time, so I was trying to look for a school that had everything else. St. Mike's was actually a last minute addition to our visit, I was going to Vermont to visit another school anyways, so it made sense to stop by.
On my way to Vermont, the airline I took managed to leave my bag in San Francisco so after flying for 7 hours, I lacked all my clothes and toiletries. Luckily, my mom and I could share clothes and I was able to put together some outfits for the two days I would be without my luggage. That morning, I visited the other school, which was nice, but I quickly learned that it didn't appeal to me. It was way too small (800 students. Total.) and I had a great tour guide, but saw that I couldn't see myself there. After, we hopped in a car and drove about 2 hours to St. Mikes and were able to pick up my luggage on the way after having to deal with rude attendants. But finally, after all that I made it to St. Mikes.
When I stepped into the Hoehl Welcome Center, I remember that there were a few other families there and I put down my luggage behind where we have the coffee machine. Then before I knew it, Jeremy came over and introduced himself and lead me to an interview room with Aislinn, who was at the time shadowing interviews. After talking with Jeremy, discussing what I wanted in a school, and whipping out my binder full of questions I had for each school (it was my turn to interview them, this is not a one way street!) Jeremy said that I was the perfect student for St. Mikes. Then I thought it was just a compliment, but now I see how much truth that statement held.
Once I had finished the interview and informational session, I went on a tour of campus. Lucky for me, it had rained when I was in the interview and we were afraid it was going to rain again, so I got to sport the lovely St. Mike's poncho. Even though I had a rough first few days in Vermont, when I got to St. Mikes, everything fell into place. The campus was beautiful, the people were friendly, and most importantly, they could see me here as much as I could. I knew St. Mikes was one of my top schools then and there. I later applied and was accepted. St. Mike's was my first admitance letter and, I'm not going to lie, I cried when I saw it. I was washing my car, ran inside when my mom told me it came, cried, and went back to washing my car. It was perfect.

My first tour in the lovely poncho