And the Today Show co-host writes about the process on her 'Meredith Today' blog:

It's important to keep in mind that it doesn't matter where you go, it's what you do with the opportunity you are given. I say that as somebody who desperately wanted to go to Harvard University. Instead of Harvard, I went to Tufts University; certainly not shabby but it wasn't my first choice. I wasted a lot of energy holding on to some Harvard fantasy -- I even went so far as to hitch into Harvard Square every Saturday and "pretend" that I was really a Radcliffe gal.

She can pretend all she wants — you don't get a complimentary subscription to 02138 by going to Tufts.

NOTE: Vieira is described on her blog as a "mom, wife, and newshound — taking on America's biggest morning tv show."