APPLYING FOR COLLEGES: WHAT'S IT LIKE?

Written by: Catalina Yap

Revised by: Maria Calvario

Interviews by: Catalina Yap

Last Friday marked the end of Early Action submissions, and just yesterday was the last day of SUNY free application week. There’s no doubt that the past week has been a hectic series of stressful days and late nights for the senior class here at Rep, and for them, the college application process has only just begun. This past week, RepCoNews interviewed a couple seniors on how it feels going through this process and transitioning into a new chapter of their lives. What are some things they’ve learned, and what advice would they give to the younger generations of Rep students? 

"First of all, it depends on what you’re trying to do, because my path is doing performing arts, so, it’s all about what you’re trying to do, what specific colleges you’re trying to get into, private, public, you know. I’m trying to go into an HBCU, Historically Black College/University. Those are not hard to get into, but it’s not the easiest process in the world. But it’s more of, like, what do you want to do, are you sure that you want to do this, because some colleges are, like, whatever major you’re trying to get into, there’s no chance that you can switch it immediately, so you gotta be confident that you want to do this." - Khristian King-Jones

"I would say, although you are kind of planning out your future when you’re applying to college and stuff, you’re not really planning out your entire future, you know, you’re just planning out the steps. ‘Cause college is just another way to make more connections in the field of theatre. So, depending on where you want to go for college, it’s just, it broadens your connections and who you’ll know to get internships and to get jobs when you finish college. But, I would definitely suggest picking a program or a college that fits your desires for what you want to achieve in life." - Maria Calvario

During these interviews, there was a similar message being told. Growing up and welcoming change is frightening. Leaving high school is a huge step in the direction that leads to adulthood. It marks the beginning of independence and the end of reliance on others, which many don't particularly know how to cope with. 

"Going to college is scary, and originally, like, a couple of months ago, especially in the summer, I was really scared of going to college, and, you know, just the thought that I’m applying to go to these universities and, you know, I’m applying for financial aid, and trying to look for scholarships, and all these kinds of different things, and, you know, it wasn’t really much that the work was scaring me, it was more that me doing this was the end of my childhood, it was the end of my years inside of my house, and stuff like that." - Renzo Ruiz

All in all, the interviewees' main pieces of advice were to not give up hope. Whether it be college, the workforce, or whatever else awaits after high school, there are people and support systems available at all times for students in need. No one is alone in this process, and the sense of unity built from that can help make applications and deadlines a bit less overwhelming.

"Your entire grade is also going through this with you, having the anticipation of submitting portfolios, submitting auditions. And it’s kind of nice to have people around you that are also going through the same thing as you, at the same time, I guess. ‘Cause they can help you, like, manage your process, and manage your stress, and manage your time, in ways that’ll be beneficial for you towards making your future better for yourself." - Maria Calvario

Juniors who have just started to think about their plans after high school and underclassmen who have barely begun to explore their options for their futures don't need to worry much about the outcome of their efforts right now, but it's still important to think about for when the time comes. The transition out of high school can be a scary one, but it doesn't necessarily have to signal the end of anything. It can instead be the beginning of something new, or a necessary stepping stone on the path to a long-awaited brighter future.

"You just have to believe that everything will work out the way that it was supposed to. And, just take deep breaths, take those moments for yourself when you need to, and, all in all, you’ll be fine, things are going fine, and it’s not as bad as it may seem." - Renzo Ruiz

Check out the following source for more information on what to look for when applying for colleges!

Collegeboard.org - College Applications: How to Begin

Applying to college is a big job. It can feel overwhelming. However, you can make the process much easier by breaking it down into small steps. Here's how.