For the two and a half months that span early November to nearly the end of January, much of our focus is on reading and evaluating Early Decision applications. These students have signed a contract affirming their intense interest in Holy Cross; after all, it requires they remove all other applications they have and commit to attending Holy Cross. (Take it from us, it is a commitment many should be excited about.)
Instead of notifying every student of their decision on the same date — as we do with Regular Decision applicants — we opt for a wrinkle in the admissions process. During the ED months, our office meets in our patented full Committee every 10-14 days to begin crafting the incoming class. For those students who have made that important commitment to Holy Cross and know this is their top choice, we feel it’s important to tell them the good news in ways outside of an acceptance letter. We do what no other school does: we call them to tell them they’ve been accepted.
Below you will find a compilation of reactions that were recorded during these phone calls. There was disbelief, there were tears, there were many thank you’s, and there were a lot of full voice mailboxes (clean out your voicemail, people!). There’s truly no way to capture the emotion during these amazing calls … but here’s our best effort:
Just got off the plane to his grandparents’ for Chinese New Year. “This is the best New Year gift!”
Very excited! Could hear her start to cry when she hung up.
“Oh my gosh I got in?! It’s my top choice and I didn’t think I was going to get in!”
“No way! No way! Are you lying? No way!”
Total silence and then he whispered, “I got in” to his friend. Really cute. Very happy.
Screaming and gasping and OMG’s galore.
Incredibly excited. Issued at least 20 “thank yous” before the call was over. Couldn’t get off the phone soon enough to begin celebrating.
“What? I got in??? I’m so confused. And excited!!”
“Best Christmas present ever!” Mom got on phone, crying too, very thankful.
“My heart is beating so fast!”
Absolutely started screaming and crying on the phone – SO excited to be a Crusader.
He was trying to play it tough but started to break down a bit.
“Wow! Wow! Wow!” followed by giggling, hyperventilating, and maybe even some tears of joy.
Very excited – said she was going to do her happy dance.
“Can you hold on one sec?” He then screams, “I just got into Holy Cross!!!”
Broke down crying on the train and couldn’t focus on anything I said after I told her she was accepted. Kept saying “you made my day.”
Amid tears of joy: “I just want you to know I’m so honored to be accepted.”
“This is..probably…the best….phone call… I’ve ever received. You should see the smile on my face right now.” Can’t wait to share the news with parents who are “on the edge of their seats.” “I had to step out of varsity bowling practice once I saw that you called.”
What a great post! Thanks for sharing these reactions! And welcome to Holy Cross, Class of 2018!