A Personal Touch
I am Anandita Makes. I am 18 years old and I am an
international student from Indonesia. I come from a family that puts education as its top priority, so when
it came to deciding what I wanted to do after high school it was a matter of anticipation, excitement, as
well as deliberation for the entire family. I was determined to get into the best college and at the same
time find a college I could identify myself with.
I had initially applied to eight schools in the United States and was accepted by most of them. But I still
remember my excitement when I got home from school and saw the correspondence packet from Simmons College.
Apart from the excitement of being accepted by Simmons, and being awarded an academic-excellence scholarship,
what really moved me was the acceptance letter itself. Unlike other universities, Simmons's response letter
was not an automated reply in a standard template. It had a personal touch. The acceptance letter actually
mentioned how the admission committee was impressed with my essay about a girl with disabilities as well as
my high school academic and extracurricular achievements. There must have been thousands of applicants to
Simmons, but the fact that my essay was not only read, but also was appreciated and acknowledged in the
acceptance letter, gave me a glimpse of how Simmons College cares about its students and recognizes their
achievements. The letter gave me the confidence that if I joined Simmons I would not be just another student
accepted to the Class of 2013, but that I would be someone special. I received responses from other colleges
as well, but none of them seemed to strike the chord that Simmons did and that is when I realized that I am a
Simmons girl at heart and Simmons is the place for me.
Having lived with my family all my life, I used to think that leaving the comfort of my home and being away
from family would be one of the most difficult things I had to face in life. But after my interaction with my
dormmates, classmates, professors, counselors, and upperclassmen, my fears have been put to rest. Everyone
here has been very friendly and I have received such a warm welcome that I already feel at home. I now know
that I am meant to be here and live life to the fullest.
I have always wanted to pursue a double major in Psychology and Early Childhood Education
since my high school days. Most of Simmons's students are double-majors, and most importantly, Simmons is
renowned for its focus on Psychology as well as Education programs nationally and internationally. I was also
thrilled to discover that Simmons is connected to Jumpstart, a program that allows students to teach children in the Boston area. I am now
certain that I have made the right decision by joining Simmons as it offers limitless opportunities and
possibilities in life which is all out there for me to explore and make the most of. I couldn't have chosen a
better college!
- Anandita Makes '13
posted: September 1, 2009
