Seniors stress over college applications

Between applications, scholarships and assorted deadlines seniors are immersed in the college application process.

Breann McKeon opening her college acceptance letter to SUNY Purchase after applying to eight colleges.
Breann McKeon opening her college acceptance letter to SUNY Purchase after applying to eight colleges.

College application season is here. For many seniors, that means choosing a college they will attend for at least the next four years. Seniors must research prospective schools, take standardized tests, write essays, and finally apply.

For senior Mavis Ma, applying to her six CUNY schools was stressful. “It takes time to fill out all the personal and family information,” she said, admitting she didn’t want to make a mistake on her application. At the same time, though, the idea of college excites her, “I didn’t expect that four years of high school will pass so fast.¨ She is excited to experience a new environment that will be “really different from high school” with new people and more overall freedom. Her top choice is Baruch College, where she hopes to study business.

Teachers and guidance counselors are kept busy during the application process by writing recommendation letters and advising students on college choices. Parents are heavily involved as well by helping students fill out financial aid forms, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile. Many parents also help pay for the cost of their students’ chosen colleges.

With early decision and early action deadlines already passed, a number of seniors may already know which colleges they have been accepted to, with some students receiving scholarships. Citlali Camacho, who received the O’Melveny & Myres scholarship from a law firm of the same name, said, “I can use it for any school, and what’s great about it is that I don’t have to pursue a career in law to receive the scholarship like I initially thought.” After being interviewed by the law firm, she received the scholarship because she fit their qualifications for “a student that not only focused on themselves but also on others,” according to Camacho. It is worth a total of $3,500 every year for four years and has given her “extra motivation” to help those around her. She added, “Winning the scholarship gave me more confidence in pursuing a career in medicine, which we all know is very difficult and expensive, because it helped me see that I’m not alone, and that there is no limit to our opportunities if we have our hearts and minds set on something great.”

Other seniors have applied regular decision and are waiting to hear back from colleges. Most colleges will release their admissions decisions by April 1, giving students until May 1 to confirm acceptances.