For seniors, the fall season isn’t just a time about crisp winds and colorful leaves. It is also the season of college applications. Many seniors’ first deadline for college applications is November 1— the cutoff for early action and early decision applicants. Of out 18 surveyed Oakdale seniors, 89% are applying to this deadline. Regular decision deadlines follow behind in November, December and January.
During this time, students may experience a variety of emotions ranging from stress and anxiety to excitement and pride. In a survey of Oakdale Students, 16 out of 18 expressed feelings of anxiety or stress surrounding the application process. Some feel overwhelmed due to considering themselves unprepared or because of pressure from peers or family. “I’m the first one going to college in my family, so I feel a lot of pressure in trying to do this correctly,” an anonymous Oakdale senior expressed.
There are many steps to creating an application, and it is relatively new to many students. Thankfully, OHS offers support and guidance to seniors planning their futures. The counseling office at Oakdale meets with each student individually at the end of their junior year and the beginning of their senior year to explain the process and begin planning to reduce stress and anxiety as much as possible.
Not only must students complete the new process of applications, but they may also deal with anxiety surrounding the response. Rejection is a hard pill to swallow, especially when it comes to colleges. As hard as it may be, students must be prepared to deal with rejection and understand that it does not define who they are. “There are going to always be successes and disappointments, always… [The] idea that there is one perfect path or a handful of perfect colleges is just not right.” Former Dean of Cabot House at Harvard Jill Constantino comments.
There are many ways to deal with the whirlwind of emotions, and not all methods will work for everyone. Previous graduates advise to lean on your support systems, stay organized and don’t procrastinate. Former OHS students Nicholas Moyer, Maddie Eng and Catherine Brennan experienced this as well. Each student experienced some stress due to the—possibly unnecessary—pressure put on the process. They recall making checklists, writing important deadlines down and reserving time to be productive to stay organized, as well as keeping time for fun. Moyer emphasizes that the application, “needs to be the best representation of you possible. At the end of the day the only person who is going to make your life happen is you, so do your best.”
Moyer is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Eng is a freshman at the University of Maryland and Brennan is a sophomore at American University. All three are independent and thriving, just as Oakdale’s current seniors will be soon.
