FAFSA, CSS, UC’s, Cal States, Common App, early decision and early actions are commonly used terms to describe the different processes in a college application. Applying to colleges is terrifying and nerve-racking because a simple decision can determine a student’s future. However, as the Class of 2025 is close to walking the graduation stage, they have valuable advice to offer to the rising upperclassmen to ensure a smoother and efficient process. Advice provided by the current upperclassmen will allow juniors to get a head start on the college application process to lessen the stress.
Throughout high school, many students are progressively working to complete one goal, which is to apply to colleges and get into a school that will better their education.
Freshman year consists of a transition to a more challenging environment and is a time for students to begin the process of self-discovery. Sophomore year, students are participating in leadership opportunities, gaining and managing responsibilities. Junior year will consist of decision making, these being the decision to take standardized tests, creating a college list, and going on a road trip to visit local campuses. Senior year is a rollercoaster of emotion with a long to-do list, consisting of submitting college applications, writing supplementals, and applying to scholarships.
Rising upperclassmen are already familiarizing themselves with the application process. During AVID classes, students are becoming familiar with UC’s requirements and beginning to write the rough drafts to the four chosen personal insight questions (PIQ). Counselors are coming into classrooms with presentations to inform students on different topics in the college application, like the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans, as well as grants and scholarships.
Current high school seniors have expressed the significance of starting the college application process the summer before senior year. Even though summer break is meant to be a time for students to rest, instead the rising upperclassmen need to take advantage of this time and begin writing rough drafts. When the Common App opens Aug. 1. students can create an account, add schools and begin writing the supplemental essays for every school. Being able to write those drafts early on, allows for more time to revise and improve the quality of the writing process. Students can also start working on the common app essay, as the prompts do stay the same, students can start a draft and brainstorm ideas during summer break.
Senior Kimberly Tovar has indicated the significance of taking advantage of summer break to begin working on college applications to lessen the workload starting the new school year.
“The guidance and advice I will offer to the upcoming Class of 2026 would be to start early and not procrastinate. If I was given the chance to go through the college application process again, I would start my PIQ’s and personal statement earlier like during the summer,” Tovar said.
Brainstorming can be one of the most difficult things throughout the application process, however simple conversations with friends and high school staff can allow the mind to flow with ideas. Tovar has expressed the most challenging process when applying to colleges.
“The most challenging process during the college application season was getting started on my writing and going in depth. I struggled to talk about myself in a professional manner,” Tovar said.
There are many available mentor’s that will provide feedback on college essays and direct students to the correct path. Tovar elaborates on the tools she found useful.
“The tricks and tools that I found useful during the college application process were seeking resources like mentors, teachers, counselors to receive feedback,” Tovar said.
Oscar Hernandez, a current senior, has shared the valuable advice provided by MCHS staff and has emphasized the importance of seeking feedback from available resources.
“Talking to Quinonez because, like, I couldn’t really find the answers that I needed anywhere else, so just using the support system that we have here,” Hernandez said.
It is very important to take advantage of scholarship opportunities. Hernandez identifies with the need to apply to as many as possible, as it is a chance to obtain free money.
“Really shoot for the full ride scholarships, even if you don’t get the Questbridge, Gate Scholarship, all that stuff. Even if you don’t win it, you still have all your applications done so it takes out a lot of the stress later on,” Hernandez said.
Even though the anticipation of a college application is terrifying, Hernandez encourages to engage in fun activities to relieve stress.
“Forgetting about stuff, it is easier said than done, yeah that’s what it is because honestly you can just get lost in like scholarships application and stuff and sometimes you need to like just look at the window and be like damn, yeah also photograph like that’s what I’ve always been doing is a hobby to kind of like get stuff off my mind,” Hernandez said.
Senior year is a stressful time, however as students’ high school journeys are coming to an end, there are many fun activities to look forward to enjoy the year with friends one last time. Tovar elaborates on her three favorite senior activities.
“The senior activities that I am most excited about are Senior picnic, Grad Nite, and Graduation,” Tovar said.
Senior year is a combination of a challenging and exciting journey. There are many activities to look forward to, as the year progresses. The first semester students dedicate all their efforts into college applications, while the second semester is a little easier with anticipation to participate in senior activities.
The college application process is a challenging and stressful process. However, with the advice provided by Tovar and Hernandez, the class of 2026 can start senior year with confidence.
