Many Westridge humanities teachers, namely Upper School English teacher Mr. Edward Raines in 9th grade English I, will often preach to “write a lot about a little.” This tip is fairly self-explanatory, but the idea is to dig deep into a narrow idea rather than taking on a number of large ideas and scraping up superficial literary analysis. This advice has followed me into different areas of my life, beyond English papers and oddly shaped fish bowls.

Whether it be the ever growing American Girl Doll collection that I started at 3-years-old, my spirited love of Taylor Swift, or my devotion to theatre, I do a substantial amount in fairly specific areas–a lot about a little. Now that I’m a senior in high school, this need to pour my entire self into distinct areas has manifested itself in unexpected ways–seeping into my college process and beyond. 

Starting twelfth grade, I immediately took to all of my classes. While I am taking fewer classes this year, I am a lot more passionate about the various unique courses like Women of the Novel, Advanced Ethics, and Drama and Interpretation that I have the privilege to attend. This passion has led me to approach each essay, discussion, and homework assignment with a level of diligence that I didn’t have in earlier stages of my high school journey. With a lighter course load, I have taken the guiding phrase, “write a lot about a little,” and applied it to my school habits to deepen my academic prowess. 

However, engrossing classes aren’t the entirety of twelfth grade. I mustn’t forget about the college application process (which is probably what you really want to hear about, considering this is the “college column.”) If you didn’t know, the college process, in a way, calls for writing a lot about a lot. I mean, the college counseling team recommends students apply to 12-15 schools, and each of those colleges and universities will typically require different college-specific essays. Personally, I don’t buy into that. 

Entering the college process, hearing about the thousands of colleges and universities in the United States alone, I began to realize that I didn’t want to spread myself out amongst a number of different schools. I knew that in order to put my best self forward, I should lead with my “a lot about a little” mentality and put all of my effort into the only school that I felt extremely passionate about. 

I am excellent at falling in love with one singer, one toy brand, or one extracurricular activity. So, to no surprise, falling in love with one college was very easy for me. Which one? Wellesley.

Wellesley College is a private, women’s liberal arts college in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Not to mention, it is pure magic. Although my first visit to Wellesley was over spring break last semester, being a Wellesley woman has been my dream for as long as I can remember because my mom went to Wellesley. When I got to junior year, I looked into a few other options including other liberal arts colleges and theatre conservatories, but visiting Wellesley solidified my childhood dreams. The second I stepped onto campus for the first time last March, I discovered a part of myself that had, unbeknownst to me, been lost. Something about the celestial beauty of Wellesley’s architecture, comprehensive theatre program, rigorous academics, unique wildlife, enthralling student-run newspaper, and close vicinity to Boston enchant me. If Wellesley isn’t my dream school, then I refuse to believe that dream schools exist at all.

The longer I spent day dreaming about Wellesley, I concluded that Wellesley would be the one and only school on my college list. No other institution excited me nearly as much as Wellesley did. When I imagine what life will be like post-Westridge, I can’t happily picture myself anywhere else. Wellesley is the school for me. So, instead of dedicating myself to tens of college essays and info sessions, you could say that I put all of my eggs in one basket, or wrote a lot about a little. 

I wrote and rewrote the same two essays (the personal statement and the Wellesley-specific supplement), stopped retaking the SAT once I was within Wellesley’s middle 50th percentile range, and catered my theatre portfolio to Wellesley’s requirements. I haven’t taken a single step to apply to any other school. I truly don’t believe I would be happy at any institution other than Wellesley.

This approach has made my college application process feel more authentic and true to myself. It also made my parents and a college counselor a little concerned. “Brave” is how my dad described my approach. But the truth is, I personally cannot conceive how a dream school can coexist with a second choice, so I did not have a second choice. I have always been this passionate and confident girl that I am, so leaving that behind during the college process, a time of reflection, in order to please someone else’s idea of what my process should be felt like a mistake.  

I respect that some seniors play their cards close to the vest. I, on the other hand, I have been very vocal about my journey and intentions. Some have tried to convince me of adding some “safeties,” but the main thing that people want to know is what I am going to do if I don’t get in. I have answered in different ways, noting the option of community college or applying to other women’s colleges regular decision, but to be frank, I have never deeply considered this possibility. In the same way that when you get so attached to an essay topic you can’t see the flaws in it, in my head, I am already a Wellesley student, and I have been since I was 6 years old going around telling my mom’s coworkers that I was going to go to Wellesley when I grew up. Some of my friends have even asked me why I don’t have any backup schools, and I have flat-out told them that I don’t believe there’s a world in which I don’t get into Wellesley. 

As the notification date creeps closer, there have been some doubts and concerns about my approach, but I stand firm. I still haven’t considered any other schools, and I plan on staying true to myself until the end.

Throughout this process, I have discovered a lot about my self-confidence. My ability to delve deep into my passions doesn’t make me obsessive. I believe it illustrates how well I know myself. I am incredibly intentional about the things that I devote my time to because I know who I am. Applying to one school solidified this for me. I know that I relate to Wellesley’s mission. When I look at myself, I see the embodiment of what a Wellesley woman should be: a bridge-building leader. I want to change the world for the better with my story-telling and empathy, and I know that Wellesley is the perfect place for me to continue discovering and improving myself in order to become that change-maker.

After applying to college, I know that I have the drive to stay true to what I want. I will continue to listen and trust myself, at Wellesley and beyond. 

Reader’s Note: At the same time of this article’s publishing, the writer received her acceptance notice to Wellesley College. She has already committed and plans to attend in the Fall of 2026.