How seniors navigate college applications

Over one million students applied to college as first-year applicants through the Common App during the 2023-2024 school year. It’s no surprise that many high school seniors have feel the weight of senioritis as the transition from high school. While balancing classes and worrying about the next steps, students like me often find ourselves overthinking what the future might hold. For those choosing to pursue higher education, the thought of not getting into a dream school can feel devastating. However, we often fail to realize that one rejection might actually bring us closer to our eventual “yes.”

For students considering trade school or other paths after high school, the question remains: What will the future hold? The answer is still unfolding. In this collection of writing, you’ll find stories of students navigating their journeys through the college application process, along with the diverse triumphs, experiences, and challenges they’ve faced along the way.

Gloria: Trust your journey, aim high even when counselors don’t back you

If I could describe my college journey from the beginning of senior year to now, I would say it’s surreal. It was stressful: choosing a major, picking colleges, applying, and making decisions. I went through my entire education at the Academy of the Pacific Rim, which isn’t like typical public or elite private schools. It didn’t have the resources most schools have, but I pushed through.

When I brought my list of 20 colleges to my counselor, I was shut down immediately. She told me my grades were too low, and I should aim for community colleges or schools with 90% acceptance rates. It was devastating, but I refused to give up. I relied on family, mentors from Teens in Print, and others who helped me with my essays and applications. In the end, I applied to 22 schools.

The waiting was agonizing, but I got my first acceptance to UNH, then Quinnipiac. In total, I received 12 acceptances, proving my counselor wrong. I’m now committed to UMass Amherst, a school no one expected me to get into, and I’m thrilled. My journey taught me that even if the odds are against you, persistence can take you far.

Fowzia : Lessons in Resilience

As a first-generation American, the importance of higher education has always been ingrained in me. I dreamed of attending a four-year university to pursue medicine. Despite my path being fairly straightforward, it was filled with obstacles. Juggling demanding schoolwork, extracurriculars, and internships left me anxious and exhausted. But these challenges taught me resilience.

Through internships as a lab researcher at MIT and college-level courses in computer science, I found direction and incredible mentors who helped me develop my passion. One lesson I’ve taken with me is to focus on community and mental health, not just ‘what looks good’ on a college application. Once I prioritized my well-being, I grew into someone who wasn’t just a student but a confident person ready for the next chapter.

Lily Harney: The Struggle for Support

My journey to college was complicated. I applied with strong grades and five AP classes, knowing I wanted to major in biology. However, going to a school with limited resources, my school’s guidance on the application process was frustratingly limited. Counselors with case overloads were hard to reach, and dealing with AP credits and dual enrollment was overwhelming.

Thankfully, my hard work paid off. I received a full-tuition scholarship and acceptance into an honors program. But the experience left me exhausted, and it’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. In the end, I’m grateful it worked out, but it highlighted just how challenging the process can be when support systems fall short.