September and October are hectic, palpably stressful months for seniors. On top of school work, extracurriculars and our personal lives, we are in the nerve-wracking process of getting college applications submitted. We’re waiting in lines to turn in transcript requests for colleges, trying to finish essays and tweaking our Common App profiles. Some of us are even adding new colleges to our lists or applying for scholarships. The stress makes sense; so much of high school is dedicated to making your college resume look good. But is this high stress for the college application process really worth it?
To answer this question, one must understand the reasons why people are so stressed. Many high schoolers apply to highly selective schools, like Ivy Leagues, and put pressure on themselves to get in. Although it is true that there is more name recognition with Ivy Leagues when looking for jobs later on, it’s useful to know that schools with low acceptance rates are not the end-all-be-all. With so many people applying to college in this day and age, those who conduct job searches are looking for something unique.
Whether you’ve graduated from a prestigious school or not, the key skills, experiences and connections you will eventually need are derived from your own ambition and efforts. Many claim that if you don’t get into these top colleges, things are going to be harder for you in your career. That is not the case as many succeed later on at other colleges as well.
Plus, academics aren’t the only thing to consider. Colleges also have to fit your social needs, your extracurricular interests, and the level of competition you want between you and your peers. Why stress out about an application process for a school that you’ll be stressed at anyways?
Some students feel that they have not done enough in high school to qualify for these particular colleges. Some feel that they didn’t take on enough leadership positions or that they could have otherwise bolstered their resumes further. At my school, Walter Johnson High School, 88% of seniors apply to a four-year college; it’s often hard to stand out against so many students with similar interests. What we have been told for four years is that we need to work as hard as we can to succeed.
However, what is not said is that being passionate about your interests is what really matters. In my own experience, colleges care about your passions: they want to know why you want to pursue your intended major and how you’ve taken action to pursue your interests. The typical narrative is that you should hold multiple leadership roles and earn prestigious awards. But the fallout of that is losing passion for your interests and an excessive focus on satisfying what you believe a college admissions officer wants. However, if you focus on telling your story, you will be more authentic and, at the same time, less stressed about presenting yourself in the best way to colleges.
My final advice to seniors is this: do whatever makes you happier and more fulfilled. Talk to admissions officers about things that you actually care about—be authentic. Be reassured that colleges with a “lower” acceptance rate will support you—as long as you feel comfortable with that environment and the resources they provide.
Don’t stress: because in the end, you will make the choice that fits you best.
Written by Zoe Duni of Walter Johnson High School
Graphic courtesy of Ayza Siddiqi of Clarksburg High School