Amanda Correia on Emerson College

The admissions process was just as dreadful as everyone makes it out to be. Everyone who has ever applied to college can tell you that. But I can honestly say that with Stephen’s help, a professional’s help, a majority of the stress was relieved. I would have not been able to survive without him, considering the stress I felt from applying to ten schools, trying to score a ridiculously high score on my SATs (which Stephen also helped with :-), and surviving my Senior year.

Now that the process is over, I am incredibly glad, as I currently have the privilege of attending Emerson College as a Visual Media Arts Major, a school of high personal choice. The admissions process was not remarkably different from that of other schools, as I had to submit a portfolio, an essay, and a series of personal questions. It was easier than I had expected, seeing as most of Emerson’s application is that of the Common Application that is used for numerous other colleges. I had actually applied to Emerson on a whim – I did not expect to go so far, as it is in Boston and I am originally from California, and it was not a school that I particularly wished to attend, as I really knew nothing about it other than it was a Liberal Arts college. But when I got my acceptance letter in early January, I was excited to know that I was at least going to college. I visited Emerson at the end of my Senior year, after I had received all of my acceptance and rejection letters, and I was exponentially more pleased with the school than I thought I would be. It became my number one choice, and a perfect fit for my educational desires.

The VMA program at Emerson is the largest and most competitive department at Emerson. I am proud to say that I made it in, seeing as the department is absolutely filled with professionals and extremely passionate students. Even as a Freshman, there is a decent exposure to the VMA department, which is fairly uncommon among film schools. Right now, I am taking one media history course, and am scheduled to take a production course next semester. Also, there are numerous film shoots of upperclassmen that are open for participation, even if you are not a VMA major, every week. Not only that, but there are so many opportunities to get involved in the other majors, such as open auditions for a musical or participation in the major marketing club. The opportunities truly are endless at Emerson, as your major does not really limit your boundaries.

It is really different living on the East Coast, as I have lived my entire life in the same house in Southern California. Everyone asks me: why did you leave for this? I left because it is something different, something I have never experienced before. I am in the middle of Boston, a big city filled with artists and businesspeople. I have seasons for the first time in my life. I am surrounded with theatre-addicts, like myself. And Emerson College itself embodies the meaning of a true Liberal Arts school, as every student is dedicated to at least one form of art and its application to the modern world. I love it here and am undoubtedly glad with my decision to attend this college.

If I could have done one thing better, I suppose I would have taken more time to research this college more before I applied. I am sure that if I had done more research, I would have known sooner that this was the place for me. In my Senior year, I just kind of assumed that everything would fall into place, and didn’t really take the time to make it all happen. I am very lucky that everything DID fall into place, but that was truly by chance. I have been overjoyed with my college experience thus far, and I know that my happiness with Emerson College will continue to exist.

Amanda Correia is a Get Smarter Prep alumna and is part of the Emerson Class of 2012