Preparing for college is something on a lot of seniors’ minds. You can’t go anywhere without college coming up in conversation. At school of course, we’re writing our personal statements, making sure our credits are in order, and stacking our transcripts up with extracurriculars. If we are working, it’s to save money for college. At home, we have parents asking us about college decisions and applications. There are a lot of questions we are expected to have answers to. “What are you majoring in?”, “What schools are you applying to?”, “What degree are you aiming for?” These questions remind seniors of all the decisions we are yet to make. It can be very stressful, but also exciting. I asked a few seniors here at West Seattle High School how they’re feeling about college prep. 

First, I interviewed fellow senior, Nye Vance. 

“How do you feel when I say the words ‘college prep’?” 

“I kinda go ‘auuuh!’…in my gut I feel like I’ve just been punched and like I’m gonna puke at the same time.” 

“Are there any positive emotions you feel about college prep?” 

“If I get in somewhere good, then I think I’ll feel validated and like I’m not stupid. But up until the moment I get accepted into a good school, I’m just hating every moment of my life.” 

“How many colleges are you applying to?” 

“I think five.” 

“Do you have a top choice?” 

“Yes, my top choice is Smith College in North Hampton, Massachusetts. She’s an all-girls school so I can hang out with my lesbians.” 

“Do you know what you’re majoring in?” 

“I’m going to major in film.” 

“Have you applied to any colleges yet?” 

“Not yet… ‘cause I’m too scared to start.” 

“Do you think Senior year will be more or less stressful than Junior year?” 

“So far, it is a lot more stressful.” 

“Why?” 

“Because I’m taking harder classes this year than I was last year. And, I am scared every day about college. My brother left for college, so now I’m all alone and I have to drive myself to school and find parking, which is scary.” 

“So would you say that school while doing college prep is more stressful?” 

“Substantially. Yes.” 

“Do you think your father being the principal is helpful at all with college prep?” 

“Probably a little bit. He kinda knows what’s up. He knows the deadlines and stuff.” 

Nye is very active in her college prep and still stressed about it. I decided to next interview Zoe Sagmoen, who is still starting her college prep, to compare her stress levels to Nye. 

“What words come to mind when I say college prep?” 

“Stressful, worrisome, coming up fast, impending doom.” 

“Do you feel prepared for college?” 

“Honestly, no. But I think it’s the best option for me because I know myself, and if I don’t push for it, then I’ll just be stuck not doing anything.”
“Do you know how many colleges you’re applying to?” 

“Not really… probably-definitely over three.” 

“Do you have a top college in mind?” 

“Right now, UW, just because a lot of my family went there.” 

“Do you know what you’re gonna major in?” 

“No, it’s a mystery. It’s a ‘get there, find out’ kind of situation.” 

“Have you started the application process at all?” 

“No, it’s terrifying me. And quite frankly, I am also lazy.” 

“Valid. Would you say that this school year is more stressful because of college prep?” 

“Definitely, yeah. I feel like senior year, there’s so much pressure put on yourself about where you’re gonna go to college, what are you gonna major in, what are you gonna do with your life? And some people really just don’t know. And honestly, I think I’m one of them.” 

As we can see, both Zoe and Nye are feeling pressure, whether they’ve started college prep or not.