Mahika Ralhan ’26
Sophia Venneri ’26
Photo courtesy of Danity Pike ’27
With the holiday season comes the release of early decision and some early action results. Even within the first week of December, multiple schools have announced their decisions. Instagram is flooded with stories and posts about people who have received good news from their dream schools. Although not all schools have released their decisions yet, we can almost be certain that the rest will come out before Christmas. For some, this season brings relief, but it also carries a very stressful component as decisions pile up. There are lots of deferrals and even rejections. Not only that, but if your school hasn’t released its decisions yet, it can be overwhelming and stressful to see everyone (or what seems like everyone) around you finding out where they are going. In just the first few weeks of ED decision releases, there have been several EA applicants getting accepted to the same schools, giving hope to others waiting for their ED results. Colleges could be accepting more students from our school than they have in previous years. Another factor adding to this stressful decision season is the rumour or myth that this is the easiest college application round because of declining birth rates and fewer international students. While these statistics might provide reassurance, if bad news comes your way, it can feel more defeating. During this holiday season and the college application process, it is so important for seniors awaiting decisions to put it in perspective with the rest of their lives. Still enjoy the time with your family during the holidays, regardless of the outcome, and don’t let the stress of other people’s acceptances overwhelm you.
To the entire senior class, we know it sounds cliché, but remember that your college decisions do not define you or reflect your worth as a person. Don’t let disappointment overshadow all that you’ve achieved in high school. We know this mindset is much easier said than done. To those who have received good news and know where they will attend school next year: congratulations, and we’re all so proud of you! And to those who are still on their journey: know that we’re all here to support you, and in less than a month, you’ll have officially finished submitting applications! Take the time to celebrate that milestone, and next semester, soak in every moment of your senior year instead of stressing about the release of regular decisions. We are all rooting for your success!
