Dear Seniors,

Right now is crunch time. You’re applying to schools you think are the best fit for you and pray that you get in. You may be like me and have an application list of over 12 schools, and even if you aren’t, you should add one more; Washington State University. Yes, Wazzu may be located in the middle of nowhere and doesn’t have a mall within a 20 mile radius, but that’s what makes this school so special. I never thought I would love anything more than my dog, but Washington State University holds a very special place within my heart.

When I first got accepted to Washington State University I never considered it as more than a backup school. Reflecting back on my decision, I look at it as a piece of cake; This is ironic, I know. I mean this like when you go to a restaurant and see they have a double chocolate, molten lava, diabetic, delicious sounding cake on their desert list; Like one from the Cheesecake Factory, and you don’t order it. Now you’re gone from the restaurant and all you can think about is how you should’ve gotten the cake because you would’ve been so happy if you did. Wazzu is the cake and I ordered the cake and couldn’t be happier.

Over the years, Wazzu has been overlooked and dusted under the rug. Now that our football team is ranked third in the PAC12- North, we have center stage spotlight on us and we aren’t about to waste it. Our solo is about to be epic and make a comeback harder than Miley Cyrus. As you sit on your bed yelling for your mom to bring you food or crying to your parents about how they don’t understand that you aren’t going to get into any college, take a break and breathe. I’m not here to tell you that Washington State University is the best school in the country— even though it actually is— I’m here to tell you why you should apply.

We tailgate harder than any other team plays.

It’s Friday night at 12, you’re nuzzled in bed, eyes becoming heavy, when all of the sudden you hear the blare of a tuba; it’s the cougar band. You run down the hall of your freshman dorm and into your friends room, and look out the window to see the band playing the fight song. When all is done and over you try to go to bed; The only difference now is that it feels like Christmas Eve. The first game of the season was against Portland State at 11 a.m. This meant everyone in Pullman was up and decked out in crimson and grey by 7 a.m. and in line by 9 a.m. It was pouring rain and 40 degrees. Being from California, this was basically the end of the world to me and I had to make a hard decision not to wear my ski boots and snow jacket. Instead, I settled for a light rain jacket and converse. But that’s not the point. The point is that rain or shine, cougs are out and about. We aren’t like other schools; We literally bleed crimson. From 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fetty Wap's "Again" is bumping from fratio to fratio. When you finally follow the “yellow” Greek row to Martin Stadium, alumni and families line the perimeter of the stadium. Families, alumni, and cougar fans drive to the tailgate parking lot not one, but two days before each game to stake out their spot. As you walk through the parking lot prior to a game, be ready to lose your voice from screaming "Go Cougs" at drunk adults. Now get ready because kick off is in 3, 2, 1!

Washington State University is friendlier than Buddy the Elf.

Please and thank you are more than just words; They are a part of everyone's everyday vocabulary. When you’re walking 10 feet behind someone, they will wait for you holding the door open. This isn’t just a way for guys to stare at your butt; They are doing it out of generosity. Coming from out of state, I am used to the hustle and bustle of everyone around me in California. At my high school resting b*tch face was permanently attached to every girl and guy's face like Jim Carey in The Mask. I, reluctantly admitting it, had RBF. The moment I stepped onto campus, it vanished. I saw it floating away and a smile replaced the mask. You walk down the hall and as you look around, people you have never met or even seen before smile at you. The first few times you look behind you because, let's be honest, there’s nothing more awkward than waving to someone who wasn’t waving at you. The people you can find around campus are charming, friendly and open.

We know how to have a good time.

It’s 32 degrees out and it looks like a winter wonderland. The trees are bare and you’re clinging to the person's arm next to you as you walk, trying not to slip on the ice. The first major snow fall of the year is monumental not only for the students, but also for the dining halls. As snow falls, food trays slowly disappear. Students of all ages pull James Bond moves to steal food trays from the dining halls to use them as sleds. As the snowy hill quickly turns into a ski resort, you can see the students around laughing, and having an amazing time.

Although WAZZU is known for having a bumping Greek row, we are so much more. When CFS rolls around, it’s basically a holiday to all Cougar fans. During the day at the game you can find the student section packed with students dancing and cheering. All that’s missing is a nice slo-mo camera and a girly remix of "Take Me Home." Whether it’s rocking out at the games or on the dance floor in a sticky basement, we know how to represent and have a good time.

Tradition

This means photobombing every ESPN’s College Game Day with the Washington State Flag or yelling "Go Cougs" whenever you see a fellow Coug, even if that’s across the country. Being a cougar isn’t just about going to the school; It’s about tradition and making your own. One of my friends told us about her mom's tradition on the first day of school. She took a food tray and wrote and decorated all over it throughout her freshman year and sent it home to her parents. When her daughter was a freshman here at WAZZU, she too decorated a tray and sent it home. From waiting hours before the game in line to get a decent seat to the band playing the night before a game all the way to cougar gold, tradition is something that runs through WAZZU and is embodied by the students.

So when you’re applying to school ,make sure to get the cake. If you don’t, you’ll never know what you missed out on. Plus, we have some pretty awesome corndogs.