{"id":5988,"date":"2023-06-21T11:49:31","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T11:49:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wearedream.org\/?p=1006"},"modified":"2026-03-25T18:35:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T22:35:13","slug":"kiarra-walters","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/wearedream.org\/blog\/kiarra-walters\/","title":{"rendered":"The Class of 2023: Kiarra Walters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kiarra Walters was looking for a specific fit when choosing her future college\u2014a school with high-level academic options and a lively and diverse surrounding community. Emory University in Atlanta topped her list.<\/p>\n

A highly selective private school, Emory boasts just a 13% acceptance rate, so Kiarra worked with DREAM\u2019s Director of College Briana Avery to prepare to apply Early Decision, a strategy often employed by students in affluent and private high schools. \u201cMs. Avery wanted to make sure we all got the same equal amount of opportunities,\u201d Kiarra recalls.<\/p>\n

\n

Kiarra was confident Emory was the right choice for her, because DREAM\u2019s college access resources\u2014and its emphasis on finding the best postsecondary pathway for its students\u2014more than prepared her for this next step.<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Though Early Decision acceptances are binding, Kiarra was confident Emory was the right choice for her, mainly because DREAM\u2019s college access resources\u2014and its emphasis on finding the best postsecondary pathway for its students\u2014more than prepared her for this next step.<\/p>\n

Starting in 11th grade, Kiarra worked with DREAM\u2019s Office of College Access and Postsecondary Success to begin the college application process. Counselors helped her create a personal \u201cbrag sheet,\u201d a resource for those who would be writing her recommendations, and broke down the different components of application paperwork. They oversaw her work on tricky supplemental materials, and served as writing coaches for any essays. Kiarra says her counselors even helped her wade through her college research, which covered a wide range of factors, like academics, campus diversity, student groups, and even what kind of weather she could expect in her new city.<\/p>\n

The preparation definitely paid off\u2014in the smaller Early Decision applicant pool, Kiarra\u2019s high grades and strong application stood out even more, making her the newest member of Emory\u2019s class of 2027, and one of the first among her DREAM Charter High School classmates to finalize their college plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a weight off my shoulders,\u201d she says. \u201cIf you know where you want to go, Early Decision is a great tool in your toolkit.\u201d<\/p>\n

You can read more about the DREAM Charter High School Class of 2023 in the report<\/a> below, and mark your calendars for June 23, when DREAM Charter High School will celebrate all the work of this amazing senior class at its graduation ceremony. Until then, follow along as we laud this class, tell some of our student\u2019s special stories, and gear up for the big day.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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