From the very beginning of senior year, high school seniors across America scramble to complete their college applications. The Early Decision and Early Action deadlines are Nov. 1 and Nov. 15, and many students work around the clock to meet them.
According to a poll conducted by Higher Ed Dive, students aged 16 to 22 thought that completing college applications felt like a crucial moment in their lives. Many students feel overwhelmed by the college application process. Although senior Mia Vosicher is scared about potential judgement from other people in the process, she said it has not been as intense as she thought it would be.
“I think college comes with its own side challenges. Other people’s perceptions of what the best colleges look like can get in the way when you’re thinking about college,” Vosicher said. “I just think there’s a lot of of opinions going around, and that’s what makes me scared, because I’m very susceptible to other people’s ideas of me.”
Vosicher participates in several extracurriculars at Archer, including the Literary Magazine, Honor Education Council, choir, theater and dance. Vosicher said she has found a way to balance her commitments amidst the college application process.
“Honestly, balance has never really been an issue for me. I can always detach myself from my extracurriculars because I know schoolwork is more important,” Vosicher said. “I can completely focus on my schoolwork and know that I have time to get my stuff done later.”
While the college application process is largely centered around submitting a personal statement and supplemental essays, it also can bring up several emotions. In less than one year, students will face the reality of leaving loved ones and venturing into adulthood. Senior Grace Ryan said leaving home is a concept she’s nervous about but also looking forward to.
“I’ve always been a relatively independent person. But for me, I’m looking at schools abroad and on the East Coast, so I most likely won’t end up near my family for college,” Ryan said. “That’s kind of scary, because the reality is, I’ve been away from my parents for a month at a time, but I always come back. Leaving for a longer period of time is scary, but I think it’ll be good for me to grow and be independent in a way I haven’t had to be before.”
Although the college process can be a stressful process, it is also a time to reflect and look back on accomplishments achieved during high school. Associate Director of College Guidance Shalyn Tharayil said she sees seniors benefit from it, especially towards the end of the process when they have been accepted into a college.
“Seniors benefit from the process when they’re able to reflect back on all of it. In the process of applying, there’s often a lot of introspection and a lot of having to highlight their growth,” Tharayil said. “A lot of us don’t do that, and [the seniors] don’t really do that until this process. So, I think at the end of it all, when they’re able to reflect back on everything they’ve accomplished, that can be really fulfilling.”
Tharayil said the College Guidance Team sends out a survey at the end of each year that asks seniors how happy and satisfied they are with the colleges they have chosen to attend. The survey has a scale of one through five for students to select: 1 being not happy and 5 being very happy.
“Last year we had a 4.8 out of 5 average,” Tharayil said. “Honestly, most students feel really good about what their next steps are.”
