The college application season, September through December, can be one of the most intense and stressful times in a student’s life. From narrowing down school lists to writing essays, preparing for interviews, and waiting for decisions, there are so many time-intensive and stressful parts to the process.
The class of 2025 is the most recent group of seniors at Germantown Academy to undergo this challenge. It started for them back in the spring as they narrowed down their college lists.
“The toughest part for me was [making] college lists and just figuring out where I want to go,” Alex Swartz ‘25 said.
Since then, seniors have been working hard on their common application essays and other parts of the application, which include the activities section and supplemental essays.
“Writing my essay was tough,” Henry Spillane ‘25 said. “I feel like a lot of us had to start over at some point. Also, I didn’t do any of it over the summer, so when I came to school, I was at square one.”
However, the bulk of work during the application season is writing supplemental essays for specific colleges.
“The essays are tough and they still give a lot of work in school,” Matt Schaffer ‘25 said. “I haven’t applied to any [colleges] yet. I’m working on supplementals. The work will build up in the next month.”
Additional stress for seniors is also caused by applying for financial aid from colleges.
“FAFSA is going to be delayed again to December 1st,” college counselor Mr. Na said. “Last year it got pushed farther and farther back from December to March, which was a mess. Usually, it comes out on October 1st.”
However, seniors have relied on their college counselors and other support systems to deal with stress.
“I met with my college counselor a lot and talked through stuff with him,” Swartz said.
“I was actually nervous for a little while there, but then my college counselor kind of put me in check,” Spillane said. “At this point, I’m actually feeling decent.”
Similarly, even committed athletes feel the stress of the application season.
“I don’t think I would say that there’s less stress. I think it’s easier because you know where you’re going to go, but everything’s still the same,” Syd Wanner ‘25, Georgetown lacrosse commit, said. “You have to get in, maintain all your grades and everything.”
“I would say talking to my support system, like my coaches and my parents, was super helpful through the process and managing stress, and just trusting myself with my decisions,” Karly Boles ‘25, Southern Methodist University swimming commit, said.
Overall, the senior class is confident in their progress towards their goals each day.
“I have one application submitted,” Swartz said. “I have my SRAR done, my personal essay done, and my activity section done.”
“I think I’m making pretty good progress,” Schaffer said.
Through this stressful time, Mr. Na leaves the senior class a word of advice.
“Be kind. Be kind to yourself and others,” Mr. Na said. “I just feel like we lose our humanity over who gets in where. Instead, take a moment to really say thank you to people who are bending over backward and really want you guys to succeed.”
Although the class of 2025 is quite busy, and can be stressed at times, they are hard at work and feeling good about their college application process.