First off, a huge congratulations to everyone receiving their first As today!! You've worked incredibly hard to get here, and I hope you take the time to celebrate this milestone. You deserve it!

But I also wanted to share a little encouragement for those who haven't received an A yet, or even an II.

I was in your shoes last cycle. When October 15 rolled around and people started posting their acceptances, I hadn't received a single II. Watching everyone celebrate while I was still waiting for any good news was honestly pretty depressing, and I didn't handle the anxiety particularly well.

My first II finally came in soon after, and more through the following months. I kept doing what I could, continued pursuing the things that mattered to me, and sent meaningful updates when I had something worth sharing. What had felt like a hopeless cycle eventually turned into one I was incredibly grateful for.

I'm not sharing this to say that everyone will have the same outcome, or that you shouldn't feel anxious or disappointed. Those feelings are completely understandable. I just want to remind you that where you stand today doesn't necessarily reflect where you'll end up at the end of this cycle. There's still plenty of time for things to change.

One thing I wish I'd done differently is spend less time refreshing Admit every 15 minutes and worrying about things largely outside my control. I know that's much easier said than done, but your life doesn't have to be put on hold while you wait for an admissions decision. Keep doing the things you enjoy, reconnect with old hobbies, try something new, spend time with people you love, and continue growing outside of this application process.

To those celebrating, congratulations again! And to those still waiting, I'm rooting for you. Be kind to yourselves, and don't let this process take away a precious year of your life ❤️