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By OLIVIA SUYDAM
MCHS Class of 2024
LEWISTOWN -- With the school year in full-swing, students are immersed in their daily routines, and the Class of 2024 has begun its countdown to graduation.
Graduation is bittersweet. tudents can't wait to be an official adult, but with that comes the rest of their life and the constant question, "What am I going to do?"
Not everyone who graduates this year will be attending college, but for those who are, autumn will be filled with the stress of applying to schools and planning for this massive transition. This is a hectic time for seniors and for their families. However, there are ways to reduce the stress and uncertainties that come with applying for college. We reached out to the MCHS guidance office and to former MCHS grads to get their advice on tackling the college application process.
Finding what fits
The first thing students need to do is tailor their search. There are nearly 300 institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania alone, and grads have many questions to answer. Rural or city? Big or small? Private or public? two-year or four-year? Where should families even begin? Fortunately, there are strong online resources to get the ball rolling. BigFuture is a free planning guide created by the College Board that provides options to search for colleges, take interest quizzes, connect with colleges, and find the perfect fit. Students can create their account and begin personalizing their investigation long before their senior year.
Prospective students should also consider visiting colleges as soon as possible. What schools look like online and what they feel like in real life do not always align.
"For seniors, I think it's important to explore your options sooner rather than later and have a general idea of what you want to do," explained 2023 MCHS graduate Aliyah Varner.
Many universities also host open houses and accepted student days in the fall for families to visit campus and learn more about the student experience. These can easily be found by visiting university websites, specifically their "admissions" pages. Furthermore, if students have schools they are sincerely interested in, they can schedule personalized tours to sit in on a class, speak with professors, meet with coaches, and more. Families should keep in mind that these visits are excused absences, but paperwork must be completed prior to the visit.
Acing the applications
When the application process begins, it can be time consuming and difficult to balance. "If you aren't diligent about the applications, they will pile up and overwhelm you," 2021 Mifflin County graduate and current PSU junior David Cirota, said.
Furthermore, applicants will need to have a basic understanding of the application process. Many schools use the Common App, which allows students to complete one application for a multitude of schools, but others require personalized submissions. Additionally, graduates will want to know whether or not to apply for early decision, early action, or standard application.
The key differences: Early decision is legally binding. If a student applies for early decision and is accepted, all other applications must be withdrawn, but early action is not legally binding. If a student applies for early action they will only find out if they are accepted sooner. Standard application is simply applying on a standard timeline with no agreements.
Preparing for the price tag
So... they've visited. They've applied. They've been accepted. Now comes the next hurdle: paying for it. The cost of college can be a deterrent even for financially-stable families; it is a tremendous commitment of money and responsibilities.
On Thursday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m., the MCHS Guidance Office will host Financial Aid Night with a presentation by a PSU representative in which he explains what financial aid is and how one can apply for it. The differences between loans, grants, and scholarships will also be reviewed. This event is open to parents and students, and those considering college are highly encouraged to attend.
"Take it one step at a time; it is a very daunting process from start to finish, and there are a lot of moving parts that make it very overwhelming," said MCHS guidance counselor, Mrs. Girts.
Another important date to make on the calendar will be Feb. 5. The guidance office will be hosting a FAFSA Night to help guardians complete the necessary government paperwork for college tuition and aid. Without this step, students will not be considered for state grants and federal student loans, so it is important for families to complete it accurately and on-time.
Scholarships are another valuable avenue for financial assistance, and the MCHS guidance office already has local opportunities posted on its office bulletin board. Scholarships have varying deadlines and requirements, so students should check back frequently for new postings. Students can also move their search online to look for state and national-level awards. "There are online databases that students can create a profile for, and it will match them to scholarships they qualify for," explained Girts.
Finding the Balance
College may be all about a kid's future, but it is a big change for parents as well. Students are growing up and making life changing decisions; however, it's important to remember they are still just a child, and children still need help.
According to niche.com, there are 12 important ways parents can help with a college search. Most essentially, a parent needs to be supportive but also leave room for independence. Number One on niche.com states, "Let your child know that most of it is up to him [or her]." Ultimately it is the student who has to be happy with his or her decisions. Parents should be there to lend a helping hand, but this is setting the tone for the rest of their lives, and figuring out how to do things alone is an essential part of that.
Although this can be an intimidating time, there are many local and online resources available to provide help and make this process as successful as possible for the entire family. Current seniors, if you have any questions regarding your college search, your school guidance counselor is the best place to begin. He or she can answer questions, navigate websites, and help families find solutions to their specific situations.