Off to College! By: Rachel Arrey

The college admission process is known for being the most important part of high school. This process has major requirements such as standardized testing, extracurriculars, recommendation letters, a student’s GPA, financial aid, scholarships and more.  Selections are crucial, which makes it important for students to meet the demands made by colleges.  Individuality is also a key factor in admission because it shows who you are and what you are capable of as a scholar. Overall college admission can either make or break individuals.

A senior at The Talon named Eve Stallings, explains her vivid experience on the college admissions process: “I think it is one of those things that is kind of stressful but once you start getting the hang of it and you have your essay typed out, it eases a lot of your stress.” She states feeling overwhelmed as a beginner because this procedure is new, but she slowly shifts from anxiousness after she adjusts. She also includes, “We are only eighteen years old. There is nothing truly monumental yet in life. So, if you do not get into your dream school, yeah, it is going to hurt, but it is definitely a journey, and you are going to end up where you need to be for waitlisting. It is such a rocky road, because there is a potential that you will get into the school, and it is just kind of a, like holding your breath kind of moment. So, I just, I just wish everybody the best of luck." Eve shows a deep sense of empathy and understanding towards other seniors by relating to the obstacles they face through the admissions journey.

Juniors and seniors must tackle many challenges during these moments of their lives. Throughout this process students undergo a lot of self-assessment involving career paths, decision making, preparing for success and a sense of belonging as a student. From the complexities of research, testing, and studying into working to excel in high school, pressure is constantly added. Rising college students do not only endure changes, but they create new lives for themselves hoping to inspire their community.