As of Dec. 1, BVH seniors submitted their college applications, the majority applying to CSU (California State University) and UC (University of California) schools. College applications are challenging in their own right, with students having to report their grades throughout all four years of high school, choosing what major to apply to and double checking to see if all the information is accurate. Senior Dylan Fontenot recalled how the experience was for him as well as how he feels looking forward.
“The college applications were pretty long, especially the UC applications needing so much information and having to input grades. Other than that, it was not really much of a hassle, just very time consuming,” Fontenot said. “I am relieved that the applications are submitted and over with so I can finish off the year stress-free from having to apply for colleges.”
Fontenot personally applied to UC San Diego, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara and San Diego State University. Fontenot explained that although they may seem daunting at first, applications are typically straightforward. He advised future students to not feel pressured to start immediately and to really take time to fill them out properly. Senior Matilda Burnett, who applied using the Common App, shared his feelings on the subject.
“The process has been very insightful and fun while also being pretty stressful. I like looking at other campuses and imagining my life in the future, but I do feel stress about what colleges I may get into,” Burnett said.
Through Common App, Burnett applied to Northwestern University, California College of the Arts, New York University and University of Maine. Including Burnett, students who plan to apply to colleges via Common App have until late December to early January, depending on the school, to complete and submit their applications. IB English teacher Raymond Chhan, who puts aside time for seniors in his class to work on their applications, talked about what he observed with his students now that a lot of the work towards college applications has already been done.
“When we came back from Thanksgiving break, [there was] a big sense of relief. A lot of students feel like they have had this sort of weight lifted. But the work doesn’t necessarily end there; a lot of students are still looking towards Common App for applications,” Chhan said. “Some students are,rather than directing their energy toward the earlier deadlines like UC’s and CSU’s, are now looking towards Common App, but I think that generally students are a little more relieved. It is also important for seniors to remember the value of who they are [and that] where you got accepted, or rejected, does not change that.”
