For Fischer High School students, along with countless high school seniors around the world, applying to college isn’t just about getting in; it’s about expressing yourself completely and effectively in 650 words or fewer. Although the college application process reflects outstanding achievement and showcases years of hard work, it can leave applicants mentally exhausted. To accurately highlight their accomplishments in their applications, students place pressure on themselves to appear impressive to admissions officers, overlooking their authenticity. This article spotlights the arduous journey of pouring years of intellect, progress, and achievement into a single, carefully crafted application, drawing on personal accounts from Posnack School students’ navigation of this rite of passage into adulthood.
The arts program at Posnack School is a phenomenal outlet for creativity. From this program, four students have provided insight into their experiences with the eight to 12 college applications they’ve submitted. When asked whether they believe rejection negatively impacts their mental health, half stated it doesn’t, and half stated it does if it is their dream school. The stigma around so-called “dream schools,” often linked to a student’s desire for their programs, location or fraternity and sorority life, is clearly evident in this data. This fear can be crippling, but despite rejection, there are several other universities that provide students with the resources they need. This is why students should learn that rejection is redirection and that there is always another path to greatness.
Shaia Lipnik, a 12th grader and club co-founder, applied to eight universities and was accepted to seven. Regarding his application process, he said, “It was just very stressful having to have everything done by a certain deadline. Having to write so much drained me a lot.” Senior year is an emotionally charged period when young adults are more susceptible to stress as they prepare for their futures. As this is the last year to cherish quality time with family and friends before starting anew, it’s difficult to juggle college applications when that time would rather be spent soaking up the last few months of childhood.
Moreover, Brooke Koch, a four-year musical theater student and choreographer, has applied to 12 colleges and been accepted to eight. Koch said, “It was an extremely stressful process with balancing school on top of college applications. I was lucky enough to have completed everything before Oct. 20, so I was able to get all my college apps in on time and not have to stress too much.” Here, Koch highlights an important aspect of the college application season. Senior year is already demanding. The pressure of more rigorous, intellectually demanding classes makes it almost impossible to meet other deadlines, while also maintaining personal relationships.
Finally, Olivia Muchnik, a 12th grader and member of the mock trial team, offers a glimpse into the college application process. She said, “I figured out the list of colleges I wanted to apply to, then filled out as much as I could on my own, then I sat with my parents and filled out everything else. Then I wrote my essay until it was perfect and submitted all the applications on the Common App. Then I created a Google Doc to track all my applications, and as soon as I received the emails to sign into the portals, I filled out everything I could.” Students need to give their full attention to applications so they don’t sell themselves short. This is the time when hard work is evaluated and determines your future place in the world. This pressure can seem daunting at times, especially when a single extracurricular or essay can set the stage for one’s entire life.
It can be overwhelming for high school seniors to navigate the college application process while balancing their academic aspirations and personal lives. This not only demonstrates a student’s resilience and determination but also qualities that extend beyond the application process. Senior year is an experience of self-discovery, as adolescents savor their last moments of childhood while navigating academic strain and mental health difficulties. In this difficult time in an adolescent’s life, it is important to recognize that ultimately, the college application process is about more than the words written in an acceptance letter, but rather the personal growth and understanding. While acceptance letters mark the next step in these students’ lives, the process of developing one’s self-identity is the true focal point of this period.
