Senior year is one of bittersweet lasts and stressful firsts. College applications, an arguably integral part of high school, have become synonymous with strain. As seniors attend their last football games and homecomings, a looming pressure builds to confront life-changing deadlines.
Vincent Ni (he/him), 12, addressed some common misconceptions about high school and the college application process.
“I expected high school to be pretty straightforward, but it proved kind of challenging with college apps your senior year and a lot of AP courses,” Ni said. “College apps were a huge part of my senior year.”
Ashley Sabin (she/her), 12, had different expectations for her final year.
“The college application process is nothing like I thought it would be. I came into it thinking this is going to take over my senior year. And it didn’t. I set myself a deadline,” Sabin said.
Though chaotic, high school provides a chance for students to find themselves. Many seniors regret not being more involved. Xavier Oberfoell (he/him), 12, stresses the importance of exploring various organizations and interests.
“I wish I knew there were a lot of clubs and communities. You really get to explore your identity here,” Oberfoell said.
Many students leave high school regretting not having been more involved, assuming connections would be instantaneous.
“I definitely went into high school thinking that I’ll find my people, I’ll find exactly what I want to do with my life, and that did not happen.” Sabin said.
Half of high school is academics, the other is social life.
“When you get into high school, it’s so big, and you meet so many different people that are so many different ages, so you’re not going to find your people right away,” Sabin said. “It takes getting to know people and putting yourself out there. You just have to be deliberate with your time.”
When senior year felt isolating, Sabin relied on her family and her intuition.
“My parents were very supportive and pushed me to have the greatest application I can have. I started college tours during the middle of junior year. I think visiting colleges is such an important part because you need to feel at home on the campus,” Sabin said.
Issma Ahmed (she/her), 12, is one of many who underestimated the workload of the process.
“I didn’t realize how much work it actually is to apply to college. When people used to call others crazy for applying to 20-plus colleges, I was like, ‘Why is that crazy? I think I could do that.’” Ahmed said.
Regarding advice for those looking to further their education, seniors stress the importance of starting early. Creating a college list requires research, and those applying through the Common App can only choose up to 20 colleges per the application’s limit. The process may be tedious: filling out your personal information (often several times), reporting transcripts and more.
“I started my essays in the summer, so that helped a lot. I feel like they could’ve told us about that heading into summer,” Ni said.
Preparation can offset the stresses that come with such a workload.
“I’d say it was pretty stressful, but the deadlines and stuff, as long as you just prepare ahead, it’s going to be less stressful,” Oberfoell said.
Transitioning from one environment to another is an additional challenge to confront. Finding the right home demands time and attention.
“Go on tours in your junior year to schools that you might be interested in or research schools. At the end of junior year, around May, open a Common App account. Then over summer, you can fill out the little stuff like your information, your parents’ information, stuff like that,” Ahmed said. “Before senior year starts, I would start working on the essays, because, especially if you want to [apply] Early Decision, you want to have all that done.”
Utilizing available resources can be a great help.
“I had a college advisor from a scholarship I received. I would say it was pretty helpful because they reviewed my essays for me and we had meetings about college stuff,” Ni said.
Though sharing essays remains a debatable part of the application, it can be a chance to broaden your impact.
“I had four people read through my essay before I submitted it. It was super helpful to just get new perspectives on what I’m missing, what I need to add or what I need to expand on,” Sabin said.
Resources can only take you so far. Getting out of your comfort zone is almost inevitable.
“I just found my roommate a week ago…It feels like you’re on a dating app. You have to get used to being uncomfortable and asking uncomfortable questions, Sabin said. “t’s going to feel awkward, but it doesn’t have to be.”
Through an often overwhelming experience, Sabin also highlights an important reminder.
“You have time. I wish I would have known that during the process. You have time, between one thing and the next,” Sabin said. “Don’t stress about it, because you will end up at the school you’re supposed to be at.”
