2024 has seen an explosion of college applications sent out compared to 2019-20 according to a recent study conducted by Common app. The report, which pointed out that there was a 30% increase in total applications sent out, highlights the pressure on college students.
The first step into senior year is college applications. This year, many senior students started out confused and stressed out to start their applications. Some had struggled without the advice from former seniors about how they can handle the work load. Throughout this article, it is in hopes to help the rising seniors understand how to figure out handling the application process. Current seniors, a part of the class of 2025 were happy to share some guiding tips.
What advice would you give to rising seniors about the application process?
Tip 1: Use Naviance
Senior Katie Nguyen, a member of the National Honors Society and a participant in the Interact club, advises others to “use the resources that are given to you, use the internet, Naviance, use those search tools. Say [for example] you don’t know what major you want to go into, or you do, research and find the schools that support your major.” Nguyen continued that you, “don’t stress about a list or specific schools, just know that anything can change and don’t be afraid of that change, don’t be afraid to change your mind about something.”
Naviance is one of the major tools to use when searching for or even looking at colleges that interest students. It is a very guiding and useful website that many of the guidance counselors at Morgan suggest using when preparing to apply to colleges. The site offers sources for a student to college match and self-discover their own career path they could be interested in. Naviance can also help a student be able to form a college list of interests. With this source, students are able to kick-start the process of looking into and matching u with colleges of interest.
Tip 2: Start your Common app
Senior Kierra Baker, REACT member and wrestling manager, gave her advice to “start the common app when it opens, and start your [college] essay as soon as possible, or at least make sure that you have a thought of what you want to write about because it was a very stressful process.”
Only a few seniors in the class of 2025 knew about Common App and why it was so important in the application process. Common App is a site that allows high school senior students to submit their applications to the colleges of their choosing. Founded in 1975, the site was aimed to help make an easier process to submit applications to colleges. In the past they started with only 15 colleges, now they are representing more than 1,100 institutions of higher education. This site helps students fill out the application according to what the college may be looking for or needing from their applicants. This includes a personal essay, a subset of extra questions the college may want answered, letters of recommendation, and more.
Senior Ariana Farr, wrestling captain, said, “I think my best advice would be to not hold [the application] off until the last minute. Make sure to know what schools you want to apply to get the idea of what you want to do and pursue, it is perfectly fine going undecided.” Another senior, Josh Nobitz agreed that you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to get work done.
College applications can be stressful with keeping up on school work, managing sports, and possibly even being employed. It is important for seniors to make a “to-do list” so that they are keeping track of those parts of the application that need to be finished on time. When doing so in a timely manner, seniors are able to have a weight lifted off their shoulders.
Tip 3: Keep connected with your guidance counselor
Volleyball captain, senior, Alyssa Ruthstrom wanted to include her tip based on the connections you have in school. “Your counselor is your best friend in the whole process,” said Ruthstrom, “If you aren’t reaching out to them more often than they are to you, [the application] is harder to keep up with.” Ruthstrom then continued with her personal process, “I scheduled a lot of meetings with my counselor to make sure that my information was right, and if I needed to add anything more [to my application]. So, making them the primary source and scheduling more with them, really helps with the [application] process. The counselors know everything that they’re doing, and your family will try to help. But it is important to keep that relationship with your counselor because they’ll be able to keep you on track.”
The Morgan school counseling department does reach out to many seniors during the college process. They send information out through email and also some on the weekly blast. Guidance counselors at Morgan are here to help with whatever questions a student may have for the application process.
Senior, Oliver Taboada said, “Before this year I had no idea what I was doing, but after I actively sought out meetings with my guidance counselor, it helped me put more time and effort into my application. It helped me know what to do, when I went out and got the advice I needed [to start and finish the application].”
All it takes is action. Keep up with your application, use your resources around you, that’s how the application will get done.
