UVa // College Acceptances

In honor of UVa Early Action decisions coming out today, I thought it might be appropriate to share some words of wisdom on how I ended up at UVa and why I am utterly embarrassed that I even considered other schools throughout my high school career.

taken by fourth-year, Tyler Crown on Monday

The first time I visited UVa was the summer before my senior year of high school. Prior to that, I had always dreamed of being a UNC Tarheel (boo). I promise you that as soon as my mother and I viewed Grounds for the first time that August, I knew this is where I wanted spend my college career. 

The next day, I did the typical college talk and admissions tour. My tour guide was wonderful, and was full of enlightening information about the university and it's history. But what stood out to me the most about my tour guide was her overwhelming passion for the place. This was no scripted tour, it was so blatantly obvious that she cared deeply about the university she had only attended for a year. I hadn't seen anything like that at any other tour I attended for any university. (Freakishly enough, that tour guide would later become my RA the following August! She is still the best, and I love her even more now.)

I came back to Tampa knowing that UVa is where I belonged. Waiting for admissions decisions to be posted was absolute torture, I remember the eerie feeling of all of my friends getting acceptance letters and me waiting for my first one, which was UVa in mid-January. 

Something that I think is very telling of where you want to go to college (if you aren't 100% sure) is the moment you click the "View Decision" button and realize you are accepted. As soon as I read I was accepted, I genuinely did not believe it. I reread the first sentence over and over to make sure I was not imagining it, and to make sure I actually had been accepted. I was alone in my house when I read that decision, and I remember calling my parents to tell them and crying on the phone. My adrenaline and excitement was through the roof, which is very uncharacteristic of me. This would be the first and last time I got that excited over a college acceptance over the next few months. My candid reaction told me that this is exactly what I wanted, and the overwhelming excitement and relief was enough to get me through my high school semester exams ;)

Now, by all means, it is good to have options. I was so thankful for every college acceptance I received in 2013. But, the joy I received from my UVa acceptance surpassed all the others tenfold, and that's when I truly realized I had to get up to Charlottesville some way or another.

Some things I would greatly encourage current high school seniors going through the application process are to visit the school after you have been accepted if you are considering it, but as a student. Stay with a friend, or at the very least, meet up for coffee and a casual afternoon with an older person you know from high school, home, camp, whatever. There is a great difference between what it's like to walk around Grounds (or campus) in a tour setting, and what the day-to-day life of a student is at any university.

Another thing I would definitely advise people to do is to find some way to sit in on a class. Many universities have formal programs that you can do this through, but it also works just to tag along with a friend to a lecture on something that interests you. Obviously, every class is different within a university, and it definitely would not be fair to judge a university based off of one lecture. But it's still a great opportunity to see what kind of facilities the university has, observe class sizes, and learn something - after all, that's what college is all about.

My last piece of advice is to refuse to settle, if at all possible. It's no secret that out-of-state and private tuition is expensive, trust me, I know. But I think the benefits are worth the costs if you are willing to make it work.

And if in the back of your mind while reading this post you could relate specifically to UVa, here are some easy/fun things to do to keep you updated on life at TJ's university:

1. Follow @UVADeanGroves on Twitter. He's fabulous.

2. Like the "University of Virginia" page on Facebook. They post beautiful photos like the one of the Rotunda I placed earlier in this post, and include news and information about what's happening on Grounds.

3. Watch SNL this Saturday night to see the premier of Sasheer Zamata - a UVa alum - on the show. (Fun fact: Tina Fey also went to UVa. UVa loves SNL, I love SNL, so I love UVa.)

4. Look us up on all those college lists. We are really good at being positioned at the top of important college lists. 

5. Follow @theuniversityofvirginia and @instalawn on Instagram. No filter or explanation needed.

PS: If you gather anything at all from this post, I want it to be how passionate everyone immersed in the UVa community is about this institution. It is unparalleled and unlike any other place in this world. Don't take my word for it either, ask any Virginia professor, alum, student, or fan.

Keep posted for another post coming soon 
on my favorite things about UVa! 

Collars & Necklaces

One of my favorite preppy looks that you can always catch me wearing is collared shirts with necklaces laying under the collar. I love how the simple addition of a necklace to a collared shirt can take an outfit from casual to semi-dressy. It can be played up as simple or formal depending on the necklace, and is a super versatile look for all fashion senses!

via 4.bp.blogspot.com

My favorite collared shirt to play up is my chambray shirt (crewcuts version) from J.Crew, but I also use this look on tartan shirts (similar to the one pictured above), gingham shirts, and the classic Ralph Lauren Blue Label shirt.

Here are a few of my favorite combinations!

chambray

crystal fitzgerald bib

supernova collar

tartan

perfect shirt

bird of paradise bib

DIY: Make Your Own Monogram

The amount of money I have spent on personalized, monogrammed gifts for friends (or splurges for myself) is a little ridiculous, but I always justify it in the name of cuteness or necessity. The other day, I started thinking about how easy it would be just to do it myself! So, I looked into the project, and it turns out it is a ton easier than I expected it to be.

I always use Adobe Photoshop for my blog graphics, but definitely realize that the majority of people either a) don't know how to use this program or b) don't have it. However, this is no problem because the only thing necessary to design your own graphic with a monogram is Microsoft PowerPoint! (Shocking, right?)

So, here are my step-by-step instructions to make your own monogram!

Step 1// Download the font. I use the Monogram KK font found here. Click the download button, and then you'll have to click on the .ttf file to add it to your font collection. This is definitely not the only option in terms of font choices, but if you're a fan of the scripted monogram this is definitely a good option! Times New Roman is a great option for a classic monogram look.

Step 2// Open Microsoft PowePoint to just a normal, white backgrounded presentation. Delete the default text boxes.

Step 3// Click File --> Page Setup. This will allow you to change the size and orientation of the slide. In my example, I did a 7 x 7 square, but the size possibilities are endless and definitely depend on the purpose of your monogramming needs!

Step 4// Type out your monogram initials into SEPARATE text boxes. The separate text boxes is really important - also - remember to put your last name initial in the middle! I used 150 pt font for each letter.

Step 5// Enlarge your last name initial. It's definitely your call how big to make it, but I chose 250 pt font. 

Step 6// Interlock your initials. This is another step that requires personal preference, because you definitely don't have to interlock them at all for it to still turn out cute! To move the letters, move the text box around. You have to click on the outside of the text box to be able to move the letters without the type tool coming up. I love that my version of PowerPoint has an alignment feature to help me make sure that my letters are perfect! 

I like mine to interlock a little bit, so mine looks like this.

Step 7// Center your monogram. To do this, hold down the Shift key and select all three text boxes. From there, you can either drag your monogram with your mouse or use the arrow keys to move the group to the center (or wherever on the page you want your monogram) of the page. 

Step 8// Adjust the font colors (if you want). You can either change all three initials to a different color, or change your first and middle initial colors while choosing a different color for your last name! Here are two examples: 

Step 9// Save or print your monogram. Click File --> Print if you want to go ahead and print the monogram to use as a binder cover, stationery, business card, etc. If you would like to save your monogram as a picture to apply digitally to other sources, then click File --> Save As Pictures.

Obviously, there is a lot of leeway for creativity in terms of placing an image as a background in the slide, font choices, color options, size, etc... but this should get you started! 

Happy Monogram Monday!