As a LOTA transitions into her upperclassmen years, she begins to start thinking about what comes next. The process of searching for colleges typically begins around the second semester of a student’s junior year and lasts throughout her remaining years at the Academy.
Holy Cross provides support for these students by assigning them a college counselor that will help accompany and guide her throughout the process. However, many students still believe it to be the most academically stressful time period of high school, as good grades, SAT/ACT prep, college visits, and personal statements suddenly take up so much importance in their lives.
Junior Chanda Chung dislikes how such an intense process takes precedence during her most academically crucial years.
“I feel it makes the process all the more stressful,” Chung acknowledged. “I won’t be able to prioritize college as much as I should when I have a lot of schoolwork to complete.”
After having gone through the process and committed to colleges, seniors look back on college applications and remember experiencing similar stresses. Senior Esme Dorsey wished that students were able to start the college application process earlier in high school years in order to best prepare for applying to schools of interest.
“I believe planning out the rigor of the classes you take throughout high school will help bolster your application because all four years of high school matter,” Dorsey described.
Most students that are going through the college process relate to this stress, so it becomes important to manage it effectively.
The college counselors are aware of the stress that this process can bring to students, especially during the rigorous academic time. One of the counselors, Shannon Donaldson, recommends that students reach out to their college counselors when they need assistance.
“Our job is to help you to and through the college application process,” Donaldson emphasized. “We have found that students who visit typically have an easier time than those who avoid college counselors.”
The counselors are also able to help students regulate their priorities. Donaldson advised that academics should be a student’s top priority during the school year, as transcripts are one of the most -if not the most- important factor of the college application process. She also recommended that students prioritize service hours as they are both a graduation requirement and a good way to showcase a student’s passions.
The college counseling department also organizes Application Academy that takes place for two days in mid-August, right before a student’s senior year. It gives students feedback on their college essay drafts that they are able to hone with their college counselor in order to make revisions.
“Application Academy is one of the opportunities that I am most looking forward to,” Chung remarked. “Writing the college essay over the summer is stressful alongside other summer duties and it will be beneficial to have help navigating it.”
Finally, Donaldson emphasized that students shouldn’t necessarily fill their free time with things to add to their applications.
“At the end of the day, colleges want to see that you’ve pursued academics, extracurriculars, service, and anything else you’ve done with your time outside the classroom doing things that you enjoy and care about,” Donaldson explained.
While searching for colleges can add stress to students’ busy lives, students should remember that the college application process looks different for everyone and that they will eventually find their college.
“Remember that there are thousands of colleges and universities out there.” Donaldson encouraged. “No matter what, there are schools and opportunities for everyone.”