This is the third of a three part series on our seniors' exciting college plans.
With graduation a week away, Abbi Awodele has been weighing her college options. Speaking before the acceptances had arrived, 
Awodele noted the waiting had been unexpectedly hard. Early action is the way to go, confirms Awodele. “I didn’t [get] any early action or decision; I thought I could wait,” she explains. “But it stinks, waiting!”
The waiting is finally over for Awodele; she has chosen to matriculate at the University of Notre Dame in the fall. She sees herself pursuing a double degree program in medicine and public health.
With the aid of board mentor Toby O’leary and pro-bono college counselor Julia Ireland Childs, Awodele applied to eight schools (including Notre Dame, University of Rochester, Bates, Gettysburg, Franklin & Marshall, Colgate, Northeastern and the University of Connecticut). She pointed to financial aid as a major factor in the decision. “Everyone says do not have debt,” explains Awodele. “I want to go to graduate school and there is very little scholarship money out there for that.”
In addition to learning more about their future colleges, picking housing assignments and freshman class schedules, and stocking up on dorm room necessities, the soon-to-be ABC alumnae will be looking for paid internships or paid employment over the summer.
Oh, and catching up on one very important thing, according to Awodele: sleep!