It’s a brand new school year and seniors are thinking about their future after high school including possibly going away to college next year. With that comes the experience of the college application process. It’s a vital and lengthy period seniors go through when deciding where they want to go to college. As students write their college essays and work closely on their resume with guidance counselors, college admissions officers comb over incoming applications and determine who gets accepted.
Before the new school year started at Hampton Bays High School, seniors met with their guidance counselors to discuss their schedule. All seniors were given Senior Seminar as a required class for the first two quarters. The classes are led by guidance counselors Ms. Soury, Ms. Dalton and Ms. Crucet. In this class students are helped with what to do when applying to colleges.
As most seniors know, applying for colleges and managing school work oftentimes can be stressful. Mrs. Crucet says that she tries to keep students motivated through senior seminar by continuously checking in with them. Students are also more than welcome to talk to their counselors if they have any questions or concerns.
Counselors aren’t the only ones motivating and encouraging students to keep going with their college applications. Superintendent Mr. Clemensen, Executive Director for Educational Services Mr. Ferraro, Principal Mr. Richardt and Assistant Principal Mr. Morgan gave a two-day workshop this year in the Senior Seminar. In this workshop students were given the opportunity to see how to start their resumes and what jobs can be considered for their future.
Mr. Richardt has met with numerous seniors throughout his 18 years of being in the district and enjoys helping seniors find their paths in life. Mr. Richardt mostly helps seniors with the Common Application essay and supplemental essays. His favorite piece of advice he tells seniors before they go off to college is, “Make very good use of your professor’s office hours…and to go to college with an open mind.”
Senior Emma Downs expressed that she doesn’t feel that much stress when applying for colleges. She plans to major in biomedical engineering and wants to get into Boston University or New York Institute of Technology.
Senior Karla Chavarria plans to go away to the Marines after she graduates because, “I want to personally challenge myself.” After she completes her time in the Marines she’s looking forward to joining a four year college abroad in Europe.
Someone who is looking forward to applying to college was senior Kimberly Moran. She applied to various colleges including Long Island University, Adelphi University, and SUNY Buffalo. She focuses on both her school work and the Common App throughout the school day with her off periods. “I do take my time with the college process. I mostly focus on school work too.”
Education Planner, a website that offers advice for planning for life after high school, gave a couple of useful tips on how to be successful with college applications: know your deadlines, provide all the requested information, and be honest.
It may seem like the application process takes a long time, but soon enough, seniors will be hearing from the admission office, letting them know what direction they will be heading for the next few years.
