This blog post is part of an ongoing series where a stay-at-home mom documents her youngest daughter’s final year of high school and the college admissions journey. Alongside this, she reflects on her own transition as she prepares for an empty nest and contemplates her next steps now that her role at home is changing.
The senior year of high school can be an emotional rollercoaster for both parents and students, encompassing feelings of sadness, excitement, anxiety, and joy. Yet beyond the emotional landscape lies a practical challenge: determining what comes next. In my New Jersey community, a staggering 95% of students from our large public high school plan to attend college, with around 88% opting for four-year institutions. With Rutgers University just a short drive away, about 20% of my daughter’s classmates are set to enroll there, many even choosing to live on campus despite the proximity.
My daughter is no exception; she is applying to ten four-year colleges, including a mix of public and private options. Her selections encompass a range of “safety schools” (where her GPA and ACT scores exceed recent admission standards), “target schools” (where her scores are in line with accepted students), and “reach schools” (where her academic credentials fall below average acceptance rates). For every institution she’s considering, I’ve asked her, “Would you be happy attending this school?” It’s crucial that she understands her safety schools are just as viable as her reach options, as many students end up attending their safety choices.
Sometimes, reach schools surprise applicants. My older daughter got into one of her reach schools, which she applied to on a whim due to an intriguing program, despite my nagging about the slim chances of acceptance and the application fee being a waste of money. To my astonishment, a thick envelope arrived one wintry day, and we hadn’t even toured the campus prior to her application. After visiting weeks later, she fell in love with the place.
Now, my younger daughter has selected three reach schools. While I’m cautioning her about the competitiveness of these choices, I’ve also encouraged her to apply. The application fees are a consideration, as eight of her schools charge between $30-65 each, leading to a significant expense during this process. However, I believe it’s worthwhile to know for sure rather than always wondering what might have been.
We’ve advised her to complete her applications by October. She’s applying early action to eight of her ten choices, allowing her to learn about her admissions status by February, while the other two will likely inform her by March or April. This timeline requires all necessary materials—applications, transcripts, recommendation letters, and yes, those fees—to be submitted by December 1. Given the volume of transcripts her high school processes, I want to ensure the guidance office has adequate time to meet these deadlines.
The Common Application launched on August 1, and thankfully, all the colleges my daughter is considering accept it, simplifying the application process. However, many schools still require supplemental essays or statements in addition to the main Common App essay.
My daughter has completed the basic information on the Common App, which includes details about her family’s educational background, her favorite activities, and how she plans to validate her ACT scores. However, she is still finalizing her essay. She’s brainstormed several ideas, but hasn’t settled on one yet. I’m confident she’ll find the right topic; it may just happen on September 30, or even in the wee hours of October 1. After all, there’s plenty of time in October to refine her writing.
I reminded her today that in just nine months, we will know where she will attend college next year, and a year from now, she’ll be stepping onto a campus—though the destination is still uncertain. We’re eager to find out, and completing her applications will help us uncover that mystery.
For more insights on parenting during this transitional period, check out this blog post. If you’re considering options for home insemination, reputable retailers like Make a Mom offer quality at-home insemination syringe kits. Additionally, IVF Babble provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination, guiding you through related processes with valuable information.
In summary, navigating senior year is a complex blend of emotions and logistics, but with careful planning and support, both students and parents can approach the college application process with confidence.
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