Just days before spring break arrives, seniors are beginning to check their email more frequently, in hopes of receiving an acceptance letters from colleges. All colleges will notify students by April 1 at the latest.

Senior Marissa Shartel is one of the students who has received good news this week. She was accepted to James Madison University, among other colleges. For students like Shartel who have been accepted to multiple schools, the time to make a choice about her future has now arrived.

“I am so excited for college. Now that I have received word from all the colleges I’ve applied to, I have to make a decision,” Shartel said.

One way students share their news is through social media websites. This past week, Facebook has blown up with many statuses posted by seniors on their acceptances.

Despite the many happy statuses, there has also been rejection.

“The first day you find out you feel kind of awful, but the next day I thought that everything happens for a reason and I think of what I can do to better myself,” senior Emeli Rodriguez said, who was rejected this week.

Students can now prepare for life after high school. For some who were disappointed, they will have to modify their plans for the future based on the response they received from universities.

Senior Ali Musa, known for his status as a state wrestler, plans on continuing his quest to the NFL by working hard next year and then transferring to a school that will better prepare him to obtain his goal.

“I plan to go to Fort Union [Military Academy] for one year, and then transfer to a D-1 school to continue playing football,” Musa said.