While National Decision Day resides on the first of May, Valley tends to have the senior oriented day fall between the first or second depending on which works best for the given school year.
For the 2024-25 school year, the class of 2029 celebrated Decision Day on May 2.
Seniors flaunting their college or post-grad gear congregated in the main courtyard for an extended full-class sized lunch. Seniors were invited to enjoy complimentary hot dogs and chips to celebrate their decision.
In terms of actual decisions, the top three Valley commitments so far are:
- Virginia Tech – 15 commitments
- West Virginia University – 8 commitments
- James Madison University and The University of Virginia – tied with 6 commitments for both schools
These numbers do not account for the entire senior class, as many seniors have yet to fill out the senior survey on SchooLinks — a form that will allow counselors to know what students’ post graduation plans are and where to send high school transcripts.
Senior Lincoln Wells, who will be attending the most popular school of Valley’s class of 2025 commitments, Virginia Tech, is going for their most renowned program.
“Since about sophomore year it’s been my dream school,” Wells said. “I’ve always been really interested in engineering and they have a really good engineering program. It seemed like a good fit and I got in.”
Here are a handful of other senior commits to schools outside the top three most popular:
Jenna Amro – George Mason University, Forensic Science with Pre-med
Opinion Editor Woerner: What’s your name?
Amro: I am Jenna Amro.
Opinion Editor Woerner: What college are you going to?
Amro: George Mason University.
Opinion Editor Woerner: Wow. And what made you make that decision?
Amro: It was I didn’t have to go in a dorm
Opinion Editor Woerner: Oh, right. Because GMU is kind of known as a commuter school. I mean, it’s sort of moving away from that, but
Amro: It’s also a very heavy Muslim kid school. And I’m majoring — I don’t know if you need to know that — in forensic science with pre-med.
Opinion Editor Woerner: That’s so fun. But, yeah, were there any other colleges that you applied to?
Amro: Yeah, Mary Washington. I really wanted to go to Mary Washington. And then I got into that. And there was also JMU and V Tech — which, V Tech was really tough this year, I got in, but it was in the email — apparently they had, like, 57,000 applicants and only 7000 got in
Kate Caling – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Aeronautical Science – Flight
News Editor Bokhari: What school are you committed to?
Caling: I got into Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
News Editor Bokhari: Why did you commit there?
Caling: I committed to aeronautical science, it’s the flight program that’s there.
News Editor Bokhari: How long have you wanted to go into the aeronautical program there?
Caling: Six years. It was a definite yes when I got accepted.
Emma Carvalho – McGill University, Social Justice Studies
Opinion Editor Woerner: What’s your name and what college are you going to?
Carvalho: My name is Emma — Emma Carvalho — and I’m going to McGill University.
Opinion Editor Woerner: That’s crazy. What made you decide to go there?
Carvalho: Well, it’s in Montreal and so — and I’m fluent in French, so I really like the whole speaking French aspect of it. And then it also has, like, good programs, and I’m also living in the city.
Opinion Editor Woerner: Any other college that you applied to?
Carvalho: I applied to a lot of colleges
Opinion Editor Woerner: Wild, how many?
Carvalho: I think I applied to like 13 total
Tori Filbey – UC Davis, Animal Science
News Editor Bokhari: Where have you committed to?
Filbey: UC Davis
News Editor Bokhari: Cool, why there?
Filbey: It’s the No. 1 veterinary school in the US
News Editor Bokhari: How long have you wanted to become a vet?
Filbey: It’s been on and off, but always taking care of animals has been a childhood interest of mine.
News Editor Bokhari: Are you excited to go across the country?
Filbey: Absolutely, it’s gonna be so fun.
Kaila Jackson – Longwood University, Secondary Education; History and Social Sciences
Jackson: I’m Kaila Jackson. I’m going to Longwood University.
Opinion Editor Woerner: Very cool. What made you want to go there?
Jackson: Their education program, because I heard it was really good, and a lot of teachers in our area went there for undergrad. So, yeah, that’s why I wanted to come there.
Opinion Editor Woerner: Crazy. What teachers?
Jackson: So I know Frau went there and then a lot of — like, I worked with assisted living, so a resident went there — and then some teachers that go to Blue Ridge went there.
Grace Kestler – Tulane University, Homeland Security and Sociology
News Editor Bokhari: What school did you get into and are now committed to?
Kestler: I’m committed to Tulane University.
News Editor Bokhari: Cool, cool, why did you commit there?
Kestler: I mainly committed there for their homeland security program, not a lot of schools offer it. And when I went and visited I just fell in love with the campus.
News Editor Bokhari: How long have you wanted to do homeland security?
Kestler: I’ve been wanting to do homeland security since around sophomore year. I was debating between that or cybersecurity. I kind of settled on homeland security because my uncle does that. And then when I was exploring schools, Tulane popped up and it was perfect.
News Editor Bokhari: Are you excited to be that far from home given that it’s in Louisiana?
Kestler: I am excited. I’m also a little nervous being so far from my family. I know it’s all gonna work out, but it’s those nerves of moving away.
News Editor Bokhari: Did anything about the south call to you? Or was it mostly the major?
Kestler: Mostly the major, but I love southern culture. In New Orleans they have amazing food, so that’s one thing I’m really looking forward to. It’s just so different from Northern Virginia, so I’m really excited to explore all the new cultural stuff.
Jason Raba – Virginia Military Institute, Biology-Pre Med; Hospital Administration; D1 Rifle Army ROTC
Opinion Editor Woerner: What’s your name, what college are you going to, and what is your major?
Raba: My name is Jason Raba, I’m going to VMI, and I’m going to major in Biology on the pre-med track.
Opinion Editor Woerner: And what made you want to go to that college?
Raba: Well, Dartmouth said no, and I got an incidentally scholarship there
Opinion Editor Woerner: Oh, nice. Were there any other colleges that you considered?
Raba: Not really. Citadel, I didn’t like the coach. UVA was too expensive, and that’s it. Oh, and West Virginia screwed me over. Oh my gosh, that coach, I literally put in so much money and time with him and he’s like, ‘We can put you on the club team,’ and I was like ‘no.’
Opinion Editor Woerner: So you’re going there for a sport as well?
Raba: Yes, I do precision rifle.
Sophia Serice – William and Mary, Biology
News Editor Bokhari: Where are you committed to?
Serice: William and Mary. Mostly because of the ability to study abroad and continue my major, and also because it’s just really old and really pretty.
News Editor Bokhari: What’s your major and why did you choose it?
Serice: I’m going to be majoring in biology and I chose it because, honestly, I just think organisms are really interesting and I love animals.
