College application season is in full swing. With many early action and early decision deadlines approaching this November, Whitney Young seniors are scrambling to submit the applications that will determine the next four years of their lives. With students applying to schools such as Northwestern, Yale, Tulane, Stanford, and Georgetown, the bar is set high for this upcoming application season; many students feel the pressure from their parents, classmates, and themselves to get accepted into prestigious universities. College acceptance rates become increasingly competitive each year, which has led to many students feeling overwhelmed to perfect their college applications. The competitiveness that comes with college admissions isn’t the only stressful part of the whole process. Daysia McDonald, ‘21, says, “honestly, the thing causing me the most stress is the fact that the whole process has made me realize how flawed the education system in America is, the whole class hierarchy and the importance of reputation.  All the positive feelings I had were diminished once test scores, tuition costs, and college rankings came into play.” 

Due to COVID limiting test-taking opportunities, virtually all schools have chosen to remove test scores as an application requirement, which is arguably a huge relief for many students. However, there is still no doubt that college applications are stressful and challenging, especially during remote-learning when it is difficult to receive advice from guidance counselors and teachers. Emma Young, ‘21, says, “it is very difficult for me to go through this whole process without the help from my counselors and teachers. I wish I had the opportunity to talk to my counselor in person about what colleges are best for me, what I should write my essays about, and what scholarships I can get.” Many students feel the same way as Young: it is hard to go through this whole process without the support from our staff. Visit the Counseling Department Page to get in contact with your counselor and ensure you get all the materials you need from them for your college applications!

Although many students are stressed about their grades and test scores when it comes to applying to college, college admission officers care more about who you are as a person. Whitney Young Alumni, Bryan Bermeo, Whitney Young ‘20 and Brown University ‘24, offers some valuable advice to current Whitney Young seniors. He says, “do your best to depict a clear picture of who you are, what you stand for. Genuineness will do far more than a 4.0 GPA.” During these next few stressful weeks, remember that you are more than your test scores and GPA. Good luck, seniors!