By Tray Hammond ’22, Assistant Dean of Admissions
College application season: the bane of every high school senior’s existence. Perhaps you’ve heard tales from seniors past about the trials and tribulations ahead and now find yourself dreading that next step. For many, the process can feel vulnerable and isolating in ways that feel uncomfortable. I’m here to assure you that it’ll be okay.
Too often I feel like the conversation surrounding college applications–especially to highly selective institutions like Pomona–is narrowly focused on the waiting period between submitting your application and hearing back from the institution. This mindset lends itself to the idea that your fate is out of your hands, and while that sentiment holds some truth, it overlooks the agency you have in the time before you apply.
Let’s start with the basics. Every college decision that every college applicant awaits comes from a school that they first chose to apply to. In other words, you hold the power leading up to the moment you hit “submit”. That’s why the time you spend doing college research is so important. Don’t know where to start? I recommend reflecting on your current educational setting with questions like:
- What do you think about your class sizes?
- Do you prefer discussion-based or lecture-based classes?
- Do you have a favorite subject/subjects? Are you undecided?
- Do you enjoy the weather?
- Would you like to stay close to home? Is that important to you?
- Do you have a preference between an urban, suburban, or rural setting?
And there are so many more! Exploring questions like these will help you determine whether a specific college or university is a fit for you based on what you’re looking for. And conversely, understanding how the institutions on your college list can meet your needs will make you a stronger applicant. That said, it’s important to recognize that admission isn’t guaranteed at that point. Still, you can hopefully find comfort in knowing you have the power to create a list of schools where you could see yourself thriving. This list should, of course, range in selectivity, but ideally, there’s something exciting to you about each school you’ve chosen.
My hope is that leading with this mindset will free you (at least a little bit) from the anxiety that often comes with waiting to hear back from schools. That peace of mind will hopefully allow you to focus on the other important things about senior year: keeping your grades up, continuing to enjoy your extracurriculars, and most importantly, spending time with the ones you love. Before you know it, good news will come your way!
Wishing you the best of luck,
Tray
