For Southeastern High School senior KrisTiana Dove, opening her Johns Hopkins University acceptance letter was unforgettable.
“When I found out I was accepted, I was genuinely shocked,” she said. “Not because I didn’t think I could get in—but just by the fact that I did. Everything I worked for was finally paying off.”
Dove was with close friends when she opened the letter. “We were all exhausted from a field trip, so they couldn’t react fully, but I like to think they were proud of me.” The real celebration came with family. “Thankfully my mom works at my school, and one of my older sisters was there, so I got to tell them both at the same time. There were definitely some water works. My grandma—she’s like my best friend—was one of the first people I told. She was excited, then told me to make sure my financial aid was right. I love her bluntness.”
Reflecting on high school, Dove said one of her biggest challenges wasn’t academic—it was defining herself beyond college dreams. “It took a lot of self-reflection and opening up to people about how I was feeling.”
Dove had a 4.18 GPA, she applied to 15–20 colleges and was accepted to all. She chose Hopkins for its support for first-gen students and students of color, its STEM programs, and the representation she saw. “I give most of the credit to my tour guide and Ms. Savannah Miller, the Senior Assistant Director of Access and Diversity. These two amazing Black women showed me that there is a place for me wherever I want to go.”
At Hopkins, Dove plans to double major in Chemistry and Interdisciplinary Studies, creating a custom degree in photography and film. Her career goals include working as a medicinal chemist for the FDA, researching non-opioid pain treatments, while also doing freelance photography and videography.
Her advice for students: “Never refer to it as hoping. You will get into college and graduate. Place yourself in the seat you want from the beginning. Don’t neglect your personal needs. Colleges want well-rounded individuals—that includes taking care of yourself.”
