Nicolas is FINALLY moved into his dorm at The University of Chicago and I could not be more elated for him! He was accepted to the one and only school that he applied for, Early Decision so we have known where he was heading to college since December of last year.
The University of Chicago is a Research University situated in the Hyde Park community on the Southside of Chicago. It is ranked 6th in the country overall, tied with Stanford University. As for rigor of education, The University of Chicago is second only to Massachusetts Institute of Technology also known as MIT.
Nico considered and visited many other schools including HBCU’s, small liberal arts colleges and state schools. Ultimately choosing to attend a PWI which stands for a Predominantly White Institution. He felt as though the resources offered along with the fact that the University meets 100% of demonstrated financial need made it all worthwhile. Sure, he has some reservations, especially with the current racial climate of our country but with him being so multifaceted, we are all very confident that he will thrive and not only get what is needed out of the experience but also contribute greatly to university.
Being a first generation college student seemed to put him at somewhat of advantage when it came to choosing which college to attend. He was able to choose what aligned with his goals and was not swayed by legacy input, or anything else that could have been a deciding factor. Above all though, I trusted him to know what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go and once he made that decision, I supported him until he got there. Little questions asked.
With all the happenings of the world, the nine months wait to dorm move in has been like watching paint dry. When the pandemic first began looming, he came home early for Spring Break on March 15 oblivious to the fact that he would never walk into his current high school for classes again. Like many of you, we thought it would all boil over and he would finish his senior year with a bang. What a not so pleasant surprise when we learned that the year had abruptly ended. Everything that he had worked so hard for (or shall I say we because getting your child through 12 years of compulsory education takes a village) was no longer going to be celebrated in a traditional manner. Things such as Prom, Senior Ditch Day, Senior Class Trips, the celebratory party that his sister Kaelynn had been diligently planning for him, etc. were all snatched away.
I quickly had to put on my Mommy Mode thinking cap to see what else we could do to make things as normal as possible. We had virtual graduation parties and did other cool things to make the moments count. Dorm move in day was the icing on the cake that had already been baked!
Overall, I am extremely happy with how things turned out. His dorm design is swanky, fun and retro similar to his personality. And after getting him all settled in, I left Chicago confidently and knowing that I had given him all of the tools over the years to be and do whatever he dreams to. Because that's the job, right?
I also came home with a new found hope for my own future. His bravery and resilience through all of this taught me a valuable lesson on life. Although he may not have gotten to this point in the way that he originally imagined he made it nonetheless.
