By Jon Bouker—
It is the time of year on Eye Street when all of the seniors who make up the class of 2023 are making important decisions about where they will attend college next year. The deadline to commit for most schools is May 1, meaning students only have a few days left to decide where they will go in the fall. While some students already know where they will be going, the majority of students are still trying to figure out what school would be the best fit for them.
The college application process is long and grueling, starting around midway through junior year on Eye Street. Students are paired with one of three college counselors and attend a few meetings alone and then with their parents with their new counselors. In these meetings, parents and students discuss what they are looking for in a college, and most importantly, they consider where they want to spend the next four years of their lives.
The summer before students’ senior year they are expected to have a list of schools they wish to apply to, a mostly completed common app and even have worked on some of their required applications.
Early applications are typically due around October or November, and decisions will be heard back around Christmas time. Regular applications are due around January or February, and students hear back in March or April.
By this point in the year, students have heard back from almost every college to which they applied. This means that it is time for them to make the sometimes difficult decision of which school to attend. For some students, however, the decision is straightforward and they get into the school they want to attend and commit to it.
“Since I was a little kid, I always wanted to go to Oklahoma because my parents went there, so when I got in, I knew it was the right choice,” said Luke Volmer, senior.
Other students, either do not get into their dream school or get into so many schools that they have a hard time deciding where to attend.
“I don’t really care too much about what school I go to; it’s more about the location and the opportunities. The way people care about a school’s reputation and prestige is silly to me. I just want to find a place that feels genuine because there are so few,” said Dalton Enright, senior.
No matter which situation a student is in, there are many support systems here on Eye Street to help them with their decisions. Students can speak with their college counselor, a trusted teacher who can help guide them toward a school they might like or students could ask each other for advice.
“Well, it’s never gonna be an easy decision when accounting for tuition and location, but my best piece of advice is to pray a lot and speak with your local pastor, parents and guidance counselors for guidance,” said Lee Whiddon, senior.
No matter where students decide to go, college is a fun and exciting new adventure, and it is unlike anything any student has ever experienced.