Countdown to College: How rising seniors prepare for college applications

The next few months for seniors can be stressful as they balance college applications with their final year of high school. Aside from studying a rigorous curriculum and participating in various extracurricular activities, they must prepare essays for potential colleges. In preparation, many rising seniors use the summer to begin drafting their college applications. 

A respite from the responsibilities of school and tests, summer break is an optimal time for rising seniors to tour colleges, which guides them when making decisions about their applications. “Having the summer definitely helps to decrease the pressure. I’m so glad I have this time where I don’t have to worry about tests or projects and can just focus on trying to get as much college stuff done as possible,” senior Sabrina Xu stated. “I attended as many college tours as I could and went to as many information sessions as I could just to get a better feel for the college. Seeing the college in person also really solidified my impression of it and whether I could envision myself there for four years or not.” 

There were several other ways students got to know the schools they were interested in. Some chose to tour schools remotely. “When it comes to college tours, online tours are your best friend. They save so much time and money if you put in the little effort it takes to sign up for college newsletters and track them,” said senior Daniel Prizant. 

In addition, students took advantage of available resources to expand their research. “I had free college mentoring support and my mentor gave me a list of suggested colleges that I researched. I ended up visiting a few of them too, and I think those tours were really fun and worth the time,” senior Filie Chen stated.

Using the information gathered from college tours and research, seniors also use the summer to narrow down their college lists by deciding which colleges are good fits for them. For example, location and cost are often major factors to consider. “Ideally, I would love the college to be close to home.” Xu stated. “Affordability is also a big factor, as I don’t want to put financial burden on my family.”

Students will also consider academic programs, co-curricular activities, campus life, and class size. “I’m looking at schools with my intended majors, a strong job office, and a smaller student body,” stated Chen. During the search process, students must decide what is important to them as they envision their life in college. 

Apart from choosing colleges, seniors also try to secure jobs, internships, research opportunities, and other academic programs to strengthen their college applications. “I had a job at a camp [...] tutoring kids, doing paperwork. I got paid, and it looks good for college,” senior Brandon Waworuntu said. 

However, seniors still strived to maintain a healthy work-life balance. “I kept myself busy with two internships and a fairly intensive schedule at a part-time job. I still found time to relax and enjoy my summer though. I think putting too much on your plate just makes burnout much easier and, by the time school starts up again, leaves you feeling just as exhausted as before the break,” added Prizant.

The centerpiece of the college application is the personal statement essay, which allows colleges to gain a deeper understanding of the applicant’s character. Many seniors work on their personal statement over the summer by attending workshops, generating ideas, and writing rough drafts. “I participated in a personal writing workshop focused on the common app essay which helped me narrow down my topic and write out a first draft,” senior Malka Lubelski said.

Some draft their essays by reflecting on their experiences.“I sit outside for hours at a time or go to a quiet library where I really hear myself think and just reflect on everything I did, what communities I belong to, what my values are, etc. which really help me when I have to write the actual essays,” Xu commented.

Others let ideas come naturally to them. “I've been writing things in my notes app whenever I find myself doing [or] thinking something I find representative of me over time, which helps me with idea generation because I don't have to sit down and force ideas to come out of me,” added Chen.

“The sheer amount of writing that needs to be done is overwhelming, and the fact that each of those writing pieces needs to be polished and good is what I think is the most difficult part of college applications,” Xu said. 

Beyond the extensive writing, starting the application can be intimidating and mentally challenging. Students often place themselves under immense pressure to be perfect, and become overwhelmed with self-doubt. “A lot of the students at Stuyvesant have some sort of impostor syndrome. They feel as if they aren't good enough to be here, that they don't have the talent or lack the determination to compare to their peers,” stated Prizant.

“There's also the fear that your application won't be enough, and that you'll fall short in this pivotal moment of your life that you worked your entire life for,” Chen said. 

Furthermore, seniors must make monumental decisions about their life and career as they continue their applications. “The idea that I have to decide what I want to do for the rest of my life right now feels very scary and navigating the applications and questions mostly on my own with little preparation is scary on its own,” said Lubelski. Students must learn to trust themselves and remain level-headed in order to clearly portray their story through their application. “ As long as I submit my best self and commit myself 100% to the process, it will all work out,” Lubelski said.

 By starting their applications during the summer, these seniors hope to alleviate their workload once school picks up in the fall. These two months before their senior year can play a large role in determining the next four years of their life. While application season can be a scary period of uncertainty as students brace themselves for rejections, students should see college as a gateway instead of a life sentence. “No matter where you go in college, you will find success in life. Ultimately, your college doesn't define you, take pride in yourself,” concluded Prizant.