From a teen's perspective: Tips for talking to high school seniors

As a rising senior, I have begun the infamous college application process. I’m planning on applying to twelve universities and colleges, with each having  at least one supplemental question I must answer along with submitting my application. My supplemental essay questions document is already 14 pages long, and I haven’t even finished answering all of them yet. 

Many of us who seek higher education will be using the Common Application. This is an application hub for many colleges and universities that contains all of the sections required for the application process. Sections include  a personal essay, a COVID-19 question, college-specific supplemental questions, standardized testing scores, activities list, letters of recommendation, financial aid information, demographic information, and more. 

Besides this seemingly endless stream of requirements, seniors must decide what application plan they will use. There's early decision, early action, restrictive early action, early decision I, early decision II and regular decision. The options available differ between schools and the submission dates  also vary.. 

In summary, this is a long process full of contradictions. It is stressful yet exhilarating, terrifying yet exciting. As I go through this process, I begin to understand why my friends in the Class of 2021 were so stressed around this time last year. In addition to  school work, students are attempting  to somehow compress their 17 years of existence into an essay with a limit of  650 words to impress people they’ve never met. Additionally, they have to  keep their hopes high, somehow, and deal with the fact that they will be in college  next year. 

So, with Davidson County Schools and Lexington City Schools having started classes on August 16, I bring you a message from the Class of 2022: please be patient with  seniors. To parents, friends, siblings, coaches, mentors: this is a very long, grueling process. If we snap back or don’t  want to answer your questions about college, I promise it’s not an issue with you. i We honestly don’t know what is going to happen and it’s scary. 

“If you aren’t totally sure about  what you want, the constant barrage of questions can be extremely stressful,” says a member of the class of 2022 . “We’re getting questioned constantly, but many of us don’t even know everywhere that we will be applying. I personally have been asked “Where are you going to college?” a lot. This question cannot be answered yet. The earliest people could get back acceptance letters  is  late December. Most people will get them in late March. Even then, decision days aren’t until May.  Please refrain from asking us this question, as we honestly can’t give you a straight answer yet.”

For now, please stick to words of encouragement. We are overwhelmed, and having support from all of you can make it much better. We’ll be happy to tell you where we’re going once we know, but right now there are too many unknowns for that question to be answered . In the inequitable system that is college admissions, the cards are stacked against certain populations, especially people of color in the standardized testing system. This whole process is flawed, but for now we must keep going and try our best. Thank you for your support. We know that you want the best for us.

To the class of 2022: I’m proud of you whether you are pursuing higher education or not. Do whatever makes you excited for the future. For those  who are, I say reach for the stars. This is the one time that we will be doing this, unless you go to graduate school, so apply to your ideal school, even if its acceptance rate is low. Dream big. You never know what will happen. I know it feels like we are still sophomores because of the pandemic, but you are prepared and you are going to end up where you should be. You’ve got this!