A student could be anywhere; at practice, on a walk, or eating dinner, when they receive the notification that, some believe, determines their future. No student is prepared for the unalterable decision that comes from a certain college in their inbox. Soon, word spreads regarding other students’ acceptance or denial. All of this, plus the pressure students have already created for themselves, adds to the already overly demanding part of college applications.
Nothing is worse than when a college decision comes out during the school day, especially when many classmates get the same notification: “an update has been made to your portal.” Sitting in class with the urge to click on the application creates a no-right-answer situation. As this happens, many students start pressuring other students into opening their decision, for some it has come down to opening their decision in the hallway during passing time. Senior Ava Hamman experienced this one day when a college that was a big draw for students came out mid-day. “ I remember this happened to me mid-class. Everyone was opening the same college acceptance talking about it and some were upset because it was their top but didn’t get in… I waited until my free hour to open it when I was more alone which took some of the pressure off,” Hamman said.
I remember this happened to me mid-class. Everyone was opening the same college acceptance talking about it and some were upset because it was their top but didn’t get in… I waited until my free hour to open it when I was more alone which took some of the pressure off.”
— Ava Hamman
Being at home and receiving your decision seems to be the best way to go about this monumental step. When opening at home students have access to a place where they are comfortable, and if worst comes to worst, students do not have to hold in their emotions. Senior Chloe Bowers opens her decisions at home, which for her is a less stressful environment. “Usually I sit down with either my mom or some friends that can kind of calm me down a little bit. People I trust are nice to have or [opening it] by myself [is best], because I feel most calm and in a safe space,” Bowers said.
All seniors are stressed and experiencing highs and lows with acceptance letters. The unknown of when decisions will come out leaves students constantly wondering if they will get into their top school. Luckily Benilde St-Margarets has great counselors and resources for students to help them along this emotional journey. “I’ve been like reloading it and it’s like, 5:01, 5:02 and I am like ‘oh my god, why isn’t it coming up?’ And it’s crashing because so many people are looking at [it], but then when you finally see that acceptance, it can be very exciting and makes everything worth it,” Hamman said.