The college application process can feel overwhelming because of the many important factors one must take into account; what college, where, how to pay for tuition, etc.

Distance and location play a large role in the choice a student makes when deciding on a college to attend.

Olivia Burns, ‘25, said, “I’ve never been the type of person to go to a big school far away, so finding a college that is close to home has been a priority for me.”

Another issue soon-to-be college students face is staying focused and organized during the management of multiple applications.

A method of organization Burns used was making a list of all the colleges she was interested in and accounting for the pros and cons of each one.

Approaching a personal statement and following essay etiquette may also be difficult for future college students.

Zuri Das, ‘25, said, “I looked up a lot of examples for inspiration and thought about what makes me different and who I am as a person; find out what makes you who you are and write about it.”

Burns added, “Be very honest about yourself, you shouldn’t overhype yourself but talk yourself up in a way.”

Finding balance within everyday life while managing schoolwork, extracurriculars, and the application process may also meet one with difficulty.

“What I’d recommend to juniors is to look up when the Commonapp opens for your application year and begin working on it in the summer or before school starts,” said Das. 

“I have a planner, I’d write out important things to get done but also my decisions about scholarships and set deadlines for myself,” Burns stated.

“It’s hard to do so,” Cam Meyer, Class of 2025, said, “It may take some long nights and early mornings.”

Having a helpful resource is of the utmost importance in managing the process of application.

Many seniors, such as Lillie Myers, Meyer, and Olivia, have all reported their parents or Mrs. Gullidge as the most helpful resources to them.

“My mom was the most helpful to me because she’s, like, a genius,” Das added, “Also looking at online resources, but just be careful not to let them freak you out.”

The uncertainty or unknown of admission decision may stress some people out as they wait for a response to their application.

Das added, “Remembering that God will lead me where I need to go helps subside the stress or overthinking.”

Aligning one’s college choices with plans after high school and analyzing each benefit from a school is also essential in where you decide to apply to.

“I plan to be a cellular and molecular biology major,” Das stated, “In deciding which college to apply to, I mainly looked at if they offered the biology program I wanted, graduation rate, and employment rate after graduation.”

Financing your college education is one of the most challenging parts of college in a general sense.

“My dad was in the military so I have a GI bill from him,” Lillie said, “I also have a grant that pays for a majority of my tuition and I’m starting to apply to scholarships but focusing more on the application aspect.”

Others rely mainly on scholarships, specifically the ones posted on the Class of 2025 Google Classroom.

Achieving a balance of urgency and avoidance of stress proves an uneasy task for the Class of 2025 and possibly many other seniors across the country.

“I wish I started brainstorming for my essay a bit earlier, everything else could’ve been done in a couple of days,” Myers said.

“I should’ve started before school started,” Das added.

“I shouldn’t have pushed it off,” Meyer said, “I should’ve started when I had time.”

Olivia provides an alternate perspective, “I wish I could’ve known to relax instead of pressuring myself,” she says, “I let it get to my head too much and thought I had to apply to all of the schools I was interested in quickly or else I wouldn’t get in.”

College experience often contributes to adulthood afterward, whether it be in the social aspect or long-term career or life goals.

“Learning for your career goals is the most important aspect of college obviously,” said Das, “But being put into an environment with new people and learning independence and being on your own is almost just as important.”

“Gaining hands-on experience with the career of your choice during college is essential in the real world,” Meyer added.