College advisors have become a common addition to the college application process, where many high school seniors find themselves looking up to their mentors and counselors for answers to the stressful task of completing college applications.
Every student is unique, with different experiences and familial backgrounds. Students could be surrounded by family members who lived for the college experience, or they could be the first in their lineage to attend college. Either way, it is the same application, the same pool of students and the same set of eyes looking at each college application essay.
“So ever since I was 11, I’ve been hearing about [college]. All the acronyms ED and EA [early action and early decision], I feel like I’ve known about them my whole life because of [my older brothers]. So that definitely helps me,” senior Alexa Fein said.
Many students apply to college without a third-party advisor; yet, for those who do, this might give them the extra boost that gets them across the finish line in terms of receiving the dreaded acceptance letter.
“Having money and access to resources is without a doubt an advantage in the college application process. Hiring professionals to assist with applications, essay writing and test prep is a bonus,” College Assistance Program Advisor Linda Dwyer said.
Dwyer’s office has become a safe haven for all seniors at MPSH, where students are comforted by her answers to the boundless questions they have about applying to college.
“Every student, every situation is different. For some, it is the pressure to get accepted to a highly selective university. For others, it is the struggle to pay for the dream school. Moving away from home, staying close, cost, fears, social stressors and personal expectations are all part of the struggle. The application process is scary,” Dwyer said.
No two students are the same, with different experiences and accolades, yet almost all of them are trying to reach the same milestone: college.
“…Many schools reject thousands of applicants who are qualified and would prosper at the schools. So, the pressure on students to perform well in school and to build impressive activities resumes is much more intense,” National Association of College Admission Counseling member and founder of Roth College Counseling, LLC Amy Roth said.
The pressure on students to acquire an increasingly extensive list of extracurriculars, community service work, test scores and much more has become unimaginable.
“Higher education is a business and has become ridiculously competitive and expensive for a number of reasons. I feel sad for this generation. The pressure and expectations that come from families, themselves, peers and society is often unrealistic and damaging. I’m not sure how much more competitive and expensive schools can get…I’m always impressed with how resilient kids are and I have no doubt that your generation will find a way to thrive,” Dwyer said.
Roth works with students and parents to ensure them both a smooth and stress-free college application process.
“…Recognizing that admissions officers have but a few minutes to focus on any single student’s application…I use the reference to a marathon because it’s a long process of developing the background and experiences to demonstrate a student’s interest in and qualifications for a particular university,” Roth said.
Students will never have the answer to the perfect application process, but advisors like Dwyer and Roth work to relieve the anxiety that coexists with being a senior who plans on getting future educational accolades.
“There are also financial considerations, as college is very expensive. There are many moving parts to the process and it can be overwhelming for those who are experiencing it for the first time,” Roth said.
Throughout high school, students learn more about themselves by experimenting with what works well for them and what does not. Some students need that extra guidance to motivate and keep them on task, and others can recognize that the extra guidance hurts them more than it helps them.
“I think I worked better by myself. Because I wouldn’t like that external pressure from that person to keep up with deadlines. I feel like I’m putting enough pressure on myself to do that,” Fein said.
Roth likes to remind her students that there is no single way to apply to college or build the perfect resume, but there are good ways to prepare to have a successful college experience.
“…[I guide students on] SAT and ACT test preparation, curating a college list, preparing an activities resume, selecting teachers and administrators to provide recommendations, brainstorming ideas for essays, completing the Common Application…” Roth said.
The Common Application essay can be one of the most time-consuming and tedious tasks for applying seniors. In the essay, one must present their true self to admissions officers in a limited number of words. Roth views the essay as one of the most significant obstacles that students must face throughout the process.
“…Everyone has a story to tell. So while it’s a challenging process, it’s also very exciting for me as I read and learn about all the students’ wonderful accomplishments as well as their special experiences, challenges and triumphs,” Roth said.
Every student has a different story, a different voice and a different opinion.
“I think that without Mrs. Dwyer, no one here would get into college, with or without paid help. But I do believe that the application process does have certain things it looks for, and as long as you present those things and make your application an accurate representation of you, [you have] as good of a chance as any other application to be accepted,” senior Vance Schroeder said.
Schroeder takes pride in working independently throughout his application process. He reflected that although it sometimes felt as if his classmates who did receive third-party help were ahead of the game, he knew that everyone’s process was different, and in the end, everyone had the same deadlines.
“A lot of people with third-party help did have a lot done early but we all have the same deadline. All I focused on was the deadline and the quality of my own work, and we’re all getting reviewed the same way by admissions officers, so while I see how this could pressure others it didn’t really worry me,” Schroeder said.
In the end, it does not matter where one gets in or where they do not; it does not matter where one’s best friend got in and it certainly does not matter who was Valedictorian or who was Class President. Above all, it is the experience that will shape one’s future, and that will stay with you for longer than you can imagine.
“That leads me to the most important message I can leave you with: there is a college for everyone who wants to go to college; don’t worry, you’ll have a great experience wherever you go to school,” Roth said.
