While seniors eagerly await their college decisions, they find themselves in a state of anticipation, wondering what their future holds. 

     Most seniors have finished submitting all of their college applications and now anxiously await to hear back from colleges. Some students who applied early have already heard back from where they will be spending the next four years. Those who have applied as early action or regular decision still await to hear back from their top colleges.

     With admission decisions right around the corner, senior Austin Hsu reflected on how he is preparing himself.
    “To be honest I am pretty stressed, but the applications are in and whatever happens happens,” said Hsu. “I hope that I can get the best result.”

    Aside from Hsu, some students who applied using early decision or early action have already heard back from their top colleges. Early decision and early action allows for students to get their application in early and may increase their chances of being accepted. Most private and non-California public universities usually accept applications as early decision and early action. The University of California (UC)  and Cal State University (CSU) systems do not accept any early applicants and release their decisions in March prompting lots of stress for some students who only applied to the UC and CSU systems, including senior Shriyans Vittal. 

     “I’m not too stressed at the moment,” said Vittal. “But as soon as March comes around, I’ll definitely be nervous when my UC and CSU decisions get released.”

     Seniors who want to have an early idea of where they stand in the application process can look toward Naviance. On Naviance, students are able to select a college and see previous Monte Vista students that were accepted or denied, as well as look at their GPA and other academic statistics. Using Naviance, students are able to compare themselves to alumni that were accepted and although it’s not a one-to-one connection, it gives a general idea on chances of being accepted. Each year colleges become more selective and acceptance rates continue to drop 

meaning statistics of previous years may not match. UC Berkeley’s acceptance rate in 2016 was 17.5% and now it has dropped to around 11%.

     With this waiting, however, comes harsh comparisons and mental health decline. As results come in from early action applicants, news of those students who got in is spread around but also those students who were rejected. With pressure from both parents and peers, waiting for results can be an extremely stressful time. Monte Vista’s Wellness Center teacher, Rebecca White has been very helpful with supporting seniors throughout this whole process.

     “College stress is definitely real,” White said.  Lots of students come in during this time.“My biggest tip would be to keep an open mind because no matter what school you get into, you’re going to be fine whether it’s a four year [college] or community college.”

     The college application process can be a very stressful and emotional time for seniors. The anxiety of waiting for decisions along with the peer pressure and curiosity for what the next four years has in store, looms over the head of all current seniors.