Seniors Navigating College Applications
Hailey Harker
Staff Writer
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The college application process is at its busiest with most colleges having an early action deadline of November 1. Early action applications provide students with a decision in November or December and give students a higher chance of acceptance because the application is received and examined before others. This option is completed by a large number of students in comparison to the regular decision deadlines in January.
Applicants experience a very important time in the beginning of senior year that consists of making many key decisions. Counseling Center Assistant Mrs. Ferguson and the two senior guidance counselors, Mrs. Weary and Mrs. Baldwin, are crucial to students through the process.
Mrs Ferguson answers questions regarding the CommonApp and MyCoalition and sends transcripts and recommendations to colleges. The counselors provide students with insight and guidance to make the best choices during this time.
“There are many parts to my job as a College & Scholarship Coordinator, but the two biggest pieces are assisting students with the college application process, like Naviance and Common App, including sending transcripts, letters of recommendation and other necessary documentation to complete a student’s application,” Ferguson said.
“In addition I work with many local scholarship committees and organizations to help students apply for and hopefully be awarded money to assist with the financial costs of college.
Senior Valentina Haro said, “Starting early has been really helpful for me and spacing out the work, especially the supplemental essays, and setting up a meeting with my counselor to make sure everything is done correctly has made this process easier for me.”
Senior Caroline Lange said, “Applying to college is a long process but gets easier if you just sit down and do it all at once. It is all worth it in the end when you get the acceptance letters in the mail. There was no better feeling than seeing that in my mailbox!”
Applying to college is a big step for seniors to take in preparation for the future. There is a lot of pressure and distress throughout the first few months of senior year, but ultimately, it is a huge relief once applications are submitted and decisions are released.