It’s that time of year. Benilde-St. Margaret’s seniors are deep in the annual scramble of college application season. Between essays, tests, extracurricular activities, and supplements, students are working to balance the demands of their final year as high school students with the pressures of shaping their future.

The college application process has become more and more complex and competitive in recent years, especially due to the COVID pandemic. Many students are navigating an array of platforms, such as Common Application and Naviance. Also, many are forced to manage individual college portals with unique requirements and supplemental essays. Early action and early decision deadlines in November have intensified the pace, pushing many students to complete personal statements and recommendation requests weeks before the end of the semester. “I would say it does take a lot of time, but by using my free hour instead of taking the advantage to leave, I usually will do my homework during that time, and I try to spend most of my Sundays doing college stuff,” senior Nora Potter said.

At the same time, shifting admissions trends have added layers of uncertainty. The test-optional movement, which grew rapidly after the pandemic, has left students weighing the benefits versus downsides of submitting standardized test scores. Meanwhile, schools’ increasing emphasis on holistic review means applicants must provide a full picture of their academic performance, personal background, and community involvement. “I would say the part where you have to enter all of your grades and your transcripts individually is the most time-consuming and stressful, because it’s just very repetitive,” Potter said.

For many seniors, balancing these responsibilities alongside regular coursework and extracurriculars is a true test of time management and responsibility. Counselors at BSM encourage planning ahead, creating application calendars so students never miss a deadline, and seeking feedback from teachers and counselors. Nevertheless, the workload remains significant. Crafting a personal statement for each college can be a very time-consuming aspect. Many wrestle with how to condense years of experience into a few hundred words that accurately reflect who they are. The process demands reflection and lots of vulnerability, qualities that can make writing meaningful and also draining. “I would say everyone’s pretty stressed out and nervous, just because they don’t know if they’re going to get rejected, or if what they submitted was good enough,” senior Nyja Jones said.

Despite the pressure, many students are finding moments of excitement. Visiting campuses, even virtually, helps them picture the next phase of their lives. Some look forward to joining programs that align with their interests and passions, whether in business, arts, or public service. For others, the excitement that comes with stepping into a new environment and discovering who they will become stems from the independence aspect. “I’m looking forward to just making a lot of friends. I feel like college will be a good fresh start,” Jones said.

Support from counselors, teachers, and families plays a crucial role. Even without direct guidance, students also lean on one another through sharing essay drafts, comparing deadlines, and offering reassurance that they’re not alone in this process. The shared experiences create a sense of community even during chaos and confusion. In the end, college applications are about more than just admissions decisions. They are about reflections and the urge to envision students’ futures. “My counselor, Mrs. Wessman, and my aunt both helped me pick my college, and helped me with scholarships. They both did a lot for me.” Jones said.