For OH seniors, the college application process is already becoming part of everyday life. Between essays, applications, scholarships, college visits and other regular school responsibilities, students are finding different ways to manage the transition from high school to college.
OH senior Carter Anderson has taken a direct approach to the process he has already submitted five college applications and had heard back from four. “I think it’s going pretty good so far,” Anderson said.
Anderson began preparing by keeping track of when one college would release their applications. Once an application became available, he filled out the required information.
While completing applications has gone smoothly for Anderson, deciding which colleges to apply to has been more difficult.
“They all offer good opportunities, and they’re all pretty much similar,” Anderson said.
With several schools offering similar opportunities, Anderson has had to consider which colleges are the best fit for him. He also has to balance the application process with his responsibilities outside of college planning.
“I make sure at the end of the day, I have time to do it all,” Anderson said.
For other OH seniors like Ashlyn Henriksen, the application process has involved more planning and exploration. “So far, I would say it’s kind of overwhelming, but it’s also very exciting,” Henriksen said.
Henriksen has created a planning guide to help manage her applications and scholarship work. She started the guide over the summer and gives herself a certain number of applications and scholarships to complete each week.
The planning has helped her balance college preparation with school, work and her personal life. Henriksen said she divides her weekends between spending time with friends, working and completing school work and college preparation.
Despite her organization, Henriksen said the amount of writing involved has been one of the most challenging parts. “Honestly, I think just getting all the easy work done,” Henriksen said.
She has visited colleges both in and out of state and participated in a financial planning academy at the University of Missouri. The experience allowed her to see the campus while also exploring a potential career path.
“I wish that I would have looked into it more so that while I was there, I could have had a better use of that time,” Henriksen added.
The OH College and Career Center provides resources for students planning for life after high school. The OH website includes dedicated resources for scholarship information and visiting colleges.
For students like Anderson, staying on top of applications means setting aside time each day and applying as opportunities become available. For students like Henriksen, it means planning ahead, researching colleges and dividing their time between applications and the rest of her senior year.
Although all approaches are different, all are working through the same transition: making decisions about college while finishing high school. As application deadlines approach, organization, time management and research are becoming important parts of their senior years.
Early application deadlines are typically Nov. 1.
