As WHS students are working hard in their classes, athletics and extracurriculars, seniors are doing all that, plus piles of essays and applications that will determine the next four years of their lives. The only thing that excites them more than the thought of graduating is the feeling they get when all of their college applications are submitted. For some, that day may come sooner than others, but in the end, does it really matter? Let’s check in on some of these seniors, as I am sure they are all in a very good place mentally and have everything figured out.
The Last-Minute Applicant: So what if you forgot your Common App password? And who cares that you don’t know where you want to apply? You just recently learned what a personal statement is and you have two and a half weeks to figure it out. No problem! Looks like you have seven supplements to work on and a resume to create, but you have not broken a sweat. Between your six hours of homework and three-hour practice every night you know you will have time to get everything done.
The Early Planner: When the clock struck midnight on the eve of Aug. 1, you were ready. As a dedicated student, you had every question and supplement prepared to submit before the start of school. Although you missed some trips to the beach with friends and a family vacation to Spain, all of your applications are done and that is the only thing that truly matters.
The One Applying to 100 Schools: Every Ivy, the entirety of the Big Ten Conference and six West Coast schools are on your list. At least you know that if you do not get into your top choice you will have a back up, and another one and probably another one after that.
The Mysterious Applicant: Are you going to college or are you not? No one will ever know because you have never uttered the word “application” in public. You keep everything you are doing highly confidential. If anyone asks where you will apply Early Decision, you quickly change the topic of conversation. It is only on May 1 that the world will get to know which school you chose.
The “My Mom/Dad/Counselor Did All My Applications For Me” Applicant: You are pretty sure your personal statement is about the time last year you gave your great-grandma CPR (the school will never know she died when you were eight). You think you have 9 schools on your list but for all you know, you could be applying to 12. You honestly have no clue what any of your supplements look like, but the adults in your life have you covered. Some of your college advisors come with a hefty price tag, but it’s worth it because you get to party your way through the fall while everyone else stresses.
While applying to schools seems like a life or death situation, at the end of the day the Senior class of 2024 should (hopefully) make it out the doors of WHS alive.