Anna

Having worked with Anna’s older brother through his successful college search, we quickly recognized something familiar in Anna: she also had a strong instinct for what she wanted in a college experience.

During a college tour through the Mid-Atlantic and South in February of her junior year, Anna realized she wanted a school that combined strong academics with a spirited campus culture. As a lifelong cheerleader, she was drawn to communities where students were engaged both inside and outside the classroom.
To help evaluate each campus, we prepared Anna before visits. She spent time with current students and experienced the culture beyond the admissions presentation. Additional visits and conversations confirmed what she already suspected: Wake Forest was the right fit.

That opened the door to Wake Forest’s innovative ED0 program, which allows students to apply in early fall and receive a binding admission decision before tr aditional Early Decision deadlines.

The accelerated timeline required unusual focus. Recommendations, testing, essays, and application materials all had to be completed months earlier than most seniors. Over the summer, we worked closely with Anna on her application strategy and essays.

Anna submitted her application at the end of September and received her acceptance at the end of October—before many students had even submitted their Early Decision applications.

By spring, she had also earned a coveted spot as a sideline cheerleader and will soon cheer on the Demon Deacons in the ACC. Her story demonstrates how an early commitment to the right fit can create extraordinary opportunities.