ATLANTA — A metro Atlanta high school senior got a life-altering early Christmas present this week.
Joseph Yoo, 18, goes to Alpharetta High School. Yoo applied for early admission at Cornell University’s Dyson School of Economics and Management, his dream school.
On Christmas Eve, Yoo got a decision university from his mother. In a video the family shared with Channel 2 Action News, Yoo hesitates before opening the letter, convinced that there was no way he had been accepted.
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“I don’t even know why I applied to this place because I know I’m just going to get rejected,” Yoo says nervously, sitting at his computer screen.
But then, after a tense moment of waiting for his computer to update, Yoo gets the good news: he’s been accepted.
Yoo and his brother immediately launch into hysterics over the good news, running in opposite directions, screaming “Oh my God!”
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Channel 2 Action News spoke to Ester Yoo, Joseph’s mother, about the thrilling moment.
Ester Yoo said Joseph only applied to his dream school for early decision, although he’s already been accepted to the University of Georgia. Ester Yoo said that Cornell-Dyson only has a 3% acceptance rate, so it was his “reach” school.
“He forewarned us before going upstairs to check the website, to leave him alone to wallow in misery for the night,” Ester Yoo said. “Little did he know that he would get the best news, reinforcing the thought that grades are not the only deciding factor when it comes to entry at top-level schools.”
Yes, his very grateful mom.
Ester Yoo said they are just thankful to all his teachers and support staff who helped him on his academic journey.
“Each of their names are etched forever in our hearts,” Ester Yoo said.
The 18-year-old plans to double major in marketing and finance.
