As the college application season comes to a close, many seniors may recall the host of emotions experienced during this process. The anticipation of the decisions that will shape their next four years may create feelings of stress, excitement or nervousness. For several students at Newbury Park High School [NPHS], they opted for a unique application pathway: the Early Decision. By doing so, they commit to one school above all others, sealed with a binding agreement that if admitted, they will attend that institution.
From a young age, Zoe Maturo, senior, found her calling behind the camera. She began cinematography in seventh grade, a passion that has blossomed as she has pursued further film classes at Newbury. “Really there’s just nothing else that I want to do more than this. It’s genuinely just a passion of mine, making movies […],” Maturo said. “It’s just my way of expressing [myself] and connecting with other people in that way.” She plans to pursue a film and television major at Chapman University, renowned for its film school, Dodge College. An emphasis on hands-on learning was very important to Maturo as she decided what colleges to decide to and ultimately early decisioned to Chapman. “At Chapman, you’re working with cameras from the start, and you’re able to have all these opportunities throughout every single four years,” Maturo said.
As part of applying to New York University [NYU] as a double major in neuroscience and vocal performance, Miela Arra, senior, auditioned for the music program. “[It] was just basically like presenting two songs for the music committee to review,” Arra said. “After that, I was invited back for a full audition, where they had me present three more songs.” She chose NYU for its strong programs in both of her passions; it is ranked among the top 10 nationally for its vocal programs and its emphasis on scientific research. “I’ve always loved music and it’s been a big part of my life, so I knew I wanted to continue with that in college. I’ve [also] been super interested in getting into the medical field, and for me personally, the brain is most interesting,” Arra said. Part of her interest in neuroscience centers around the research possibilities in this field. “I [previously] worked with one of the neuroscience professors [at NYU] on some research, and I really liked getting to have that experience, and [would] like to continue that in the future,” Arra said.
Daniel Lee, senior, has found relief in the Early Decision process by committing to Northwestern University. “When I found out I got in, [it] didn’t register at first. My parents were really happy and I think that’s [when] I realized how lucky I was,” Lee said. Lee, who is a Biology major, was drawn to Northwestern’s opportunities for students interested in careers in the medical field. “[Northwestern is] by Chicago. So it has a lot of resources, like specifically their Pre-Med Society Program,” Lee said. Lee believes that being able to apply Early Decision has allowed him to create more opportunities for himself. “The biggest pro is [that] I didn’t have to do any regular decision [applications],” Lee said. “So, I could spend more time applying early to jobs and scholarships to [offset] costs.”
While the journey to seeking higher education looks vastly different for many students at NPHS, some students looked to expedite this and begin preparing for the next phase of their lives. For students like Lee, Arra and Maturo, making this decision helped remove stress and provide clarity in the face of this months-long process. “When I read [I had] been accepted by Chapman in the fall of 2026 […] I started crying tears [of joy] immediately,” Maturo said.