As the chaos of college admissions rolls on, the process of receiving decisions continues to cause stress, tension, and growing controversy among high school seniors. With early decisions finishing up and regular decisions beginning to trickle in, many students are feeling the weight of the situation. While some seniors have already secured a spot at the college of their choice, many others are anxiously awaiting decisions that will not be released until late March or even April.
This period of uncertainty can create a sense of stress, as students are having to make life-altering decisions while their classmates are already celebrating their accomplishments. This leads to the question of whether or not college admissions and decisions should be talked about at school or not.
Senior Heidi Hepler, who made her decision in November, explains how, “When I was applying, I already knew Nebraska was where I wanted to go. When I got the email saying I was accepted, I committed the very next day because I knew there was nowhere else I’d rather be.”
On the other side of the spectrum is the majority of the senior class who are still hearing back and narrowing down their options.
Senior Georgia Sewell affirms the pressure that can come with making a college decision. “It honestly is a little stressful, however I do know that I am going to end up where I am meant to be so that settles my nerves!”
Despite the uncertainty that most seniors are facing at this time, many of them find comfort in the belief that they will eventually land in the right place.
When it comes to talking about college acceptances and decisions, students have differing preferences.
Sewell expressed her thoughts on students sharing their decisions at school. “I like talking about it just because I like sharing my experience, but I know that’s not for everyone,” she shared.
Similarly to Sewell, Hepler stated “I think one of the most exciting parts of the college process is getting to share the experience with friends. It’s fun to celebrate each other’s acceptances, and it’s also really important to have support if things don’t go as planned”
However, this positive reaction is not always the case for everyone. Numerous seniors do not always receive good news, or struggle to find a school that suits them, and hearing decisions from their classmates can be stressful. For them, these discussions can feel uncomfortable and put large amounts of pressure on them to make a decision quicker.
Senior Hailey Kockos agrees with this, saying “I feel pressure to know where I am going so that I can start looking for a roommate and preparing as a lot of people around me are already doing that.”
While some seniors are already celebrating their accomplishments, others are still navigating the uncertainty of waiting. In a time marked by both stress and excitement, awareness and empathy are key. Whether students are choosing to share their experiences or keep them private, the college admissions process impacts each person in different ways. Ultimately, it is crucial that seniors all support one another, acknowledging the variety of feelings that can come with this time.
