I went on a Brandeis admissions tour with my mom over Thanksgiving break in the fall of 2014. I liked Brandeis on paper—its proximity to Boston, the liberal arts curriculum, the strong research programs, its diverse community, and its commitment to social justice. The campus, too, was the “classic” college campus I have always dreamed of going to. Even though it was not my top choice then, I knew I could see myself there and that I wanted to apply to Brandeis.

Fast forward to one year later, late December of my senior year. I got accepted to all my EA schools with the exception of my then top-choice college, the one acceptance that could have changed everything.

I was a little disappointed, but it was a reach school anyway. I managed to pull through and apply to the rest of the schools on my list. I even applied Early Decision II to Brandeis University on a whim.

And on January 26, 2016, I got in.

I still remember the moment I was accepted, sitting cross-legged on the floor of my dorm room at boarding school. I did not really know how to feel. I was happy to be finally done with the stressful college application process, but I questioned my choice to apply as binding Early Decision.

I applied to 17 colleges. I did not fall in love with any of the colleges I applied to; I did not want to be left heartbroken if I got rejected. I didn't hate Brandeis, but I didn't love it either. And all I knew was that I would be spending four years there.

Four years is a big commitment. I was excited for a fresh start, but I did not know what the future might bring.

Brandeis, however, showed me that I would fit in: I made friends with some of the people in the Facebook group. I even met up with one of my classmates, Jack, over the summer when he visited my hometown.

I moved in to Brandeis two and a half months later, with some names in the back of my mind from the group chat and a fear that I wouldn’t like this place.

Once again, Brandeis has proven me wrong.

On the second day of orientation, we had an event called "This Is Our House." I did not know what was going to happen at this particular event; I asked my orientation leader, Chris, but she would not tell me. However, she was so happy she had the chance to go to this event for the second time that she looked like she could cry. I knew then it was going to be really good.

This event was not the first time the Class of 2020 gathered together as one, the first being our many group chats and video calls. But the slam poetry read by Jamele Adams, the Dean of Students, as well as the four upperclassmen in charge of orientation, made us all realize that we are not so different after all. We are all human beings, despite our differences in race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, and share a mutual love for the university. Our love is stronger than hate.

Somewhere in between the screaming, snapping and sing-a-longs, I truly fell in love with Brandeis for its genuineness, its devotion to social justice and its inhabitants – some of the friendliest, most passionate people I have ever met. I fell for the same Brandeis I fell in love with on paper two years ago.

Over the past seven months, but especially at This Is Our House, Brandeis has continuously proven to me that it is the right place for me. There are still a lot of unknown faces out there, but I have found my friends. I think it is safe to say, I found a home again, the way I found one at boarding school three years ago.

Class of 2020, we finally made it to paradeis (term coined by Josh Heller). This is our house, and I cannot wait to see where Brandeis will take us next.