Sienna Gaal started thinking about college earlier than most—back in eighth grade at DSST: Cedar Middle School. But even she didn’t expect to apply to 31 schools. Now, as a high school senior, the hardest part is waiting for responses.
Her journey has been shaped by the tight-knit community she found at DSST, where students grow and support each other. "Having created such a great community since sixth grade has allowed me to see how we grew up together," Gaal said.
DSST places a strong emphasis on community and relationship-building, an approach Gaal credits with giving her the confidence to navigate the complex college application process.
"Cedar has created a great sense of community through morning meetings and events that bring us together," she said. Smaller class sizes and advisory periods allow students to form deep connections with teachers and peers—something Gaal values as she makes big decisions about her future.
Gaal’s interest in higher education was sparked through her involvement with Girls Inc., where she participated in a virtual coding program with MIT during the pandemic. "That experience got me thinking—computer science or software engineering could be a career path for me," she said. Attending a STEM-focused school like DSST further fueled her passion, reinforcing her dream of attending MIT.
Applying to 31 schools was no small feat. "I got on a call with one of my friends who was going through the same thing. Every night during winter break we worked on essays," Gaal said. She was hopeful about the QuestBridge match program, and while that didn’t work out, she remains optimistic. "The waiting is the worst part because I still have more than a month left for the majority of the schools I applied to. It’s been a long process and difficult."
Beyond academics, Girls Inc. has been a constant presence in Gaal’s life. She has been part of the organization since first grade, participating in programs focused on self-defense, cooking, and leadership. "I’ve grown up with them," she said. “When I got into 8th grade, I joined their STEM program, which is a 5-year commitment. Being in that program, along with going to a school that is STEM heavy, has allowed me to realize that I wanted to do something in the STEM field.”
In high school, she joined a three-year leadership initiative that took her to Washington, D.C., where she spoke with lawmakers and participated in the Women’s March. "Our main focus was reproductive justice—creating a comprehensive sexual education curriculum with DPS," she said.
Through it all, Gaal credits her mother and sister as her biggest inspirations. "My mom, a single mother, has always encouraged me to strive for big opportunities," she said. "My teachers have also been incredible motivators—whenever I struggled, they never hesitated to push me forward."
As she waits for college decisions, Gaal reflects on how far she has come. "I used to put so much pressure on myself, worrying about what people thought of me," she said. "If I could tell my freshman self anything, it would be: Do what you want to do, and trust that things will work out. You can forge your own path."
Gaal’s journey will culminate at DSST’s Senior Signing Day, where she will announce her college decision. No matter where she ends up, she carries with her the support of a community that has been by her side since sixth grade.
