The school year has begun and is going by faster than we were expecting. The class of 2026 seniors are preparing for graduation, which is getting closer everyday. Therefore, students should have an idea of what they want to pursue as a career in the future. Many students may choose not to attend a university or college after high school. However, there are a lot of seniors who are planning to further their education. I encourage every student to begin their process now before it is too late!
It can be very difficult to manage senior year classes along with applying for institutions, but with good time management it is possible. The earlier students start the less stressed they will be when deadlines approach. Early action is something I encourage students to apply for, so they can have more opportunities and benefits. This gives the chance to receive more scholarship money and aid. Typically early action ends November 1st or November 15th for most schools.
There is an app called Common App that allows students to apply for up to 20 schools around the world. It is an easy process, and the schools list everything that is needed to apply there. Once the profile part of the application is done, then everything else will just be a piece of cake. I strongly believe that every student should use this app, because applying directly to the schools may be more complicated.
The most important part of this application is the personal essay. In the app, there are prompts that students can choose from. I suggest finding the one that is most comfortable and easy to write the most about. Whenever the writing process begins, it is important to remember to stay on topic. Many people may think it is a time to dump all of their trauma without demonstrating any positives that came from it. This is not true, and it will probably come off as showing no growth to the colleges. The goal is that you talk about your struggle, but what you learned from it and how it made you better. It is essential to also include how you will use that strength in the future and in the college classrooms.
I do not suggest that students use AI to help them write their essays. It will show academic dishonesty to colleges, and it will most likely get the student rejected. However, asking an English teacher or a trusted adult to read the essay is beneficial. There is a difference between getting advice, and completely letting someone else do the work. The schools are looking for people who are strong leaders and can contribute to their institution positively. Therefore, be sure to highlight strong personal traits that stand out when writing this essay.
Without putting too much thought into it, students should just try their best. Always remember that as long as they put in the effort, it will work out. With patience and faith, there is capability. Believing in yourself is the most important thing to have a clear head when going through this process. I wish nothing but good luck to the class of 2026 seniors and a smooth application process.
