On May 1, National College Decision Day, seniors across the country will make one of the biggest decisions of their high school careers: where they’re going after graduation.
While many students will commit to four-year universities, others will choose alternative paths such as trade school, community college, the workforce, or the military.
Decision Day marks the deadline for seniors across the country to accept an offer of admission to a college or university. For some students, the process brings excitement and relief, while for others it can involve pressure and uncertainty.
Maria Robinson, a Spanish teacher at Carlmont who works closely with seniors in her AP Spanish class, said students often experience a mix of emotions as they finalize their plans.
“As Decision Day approaches, there are positive emotions like excitement, but there are also some feelings of disappointment, especially if they didn’t get into their first choice,” Robinson said. “For the most part, Decision Day is a positive experience and an exciting time.”
For Carlmont senior Sophie Needleman, the decision process involved careful planning and weighing multiple factors before committing to a school. Needleman plans to attend the University of California, Irvine, in the fall.
“The biggest factors in deciding where I wanted to go were academics, weather, and closeness to home,” Needleman said.
Choosing between colleges was not an easy process. Needleman said comparing different schools required research and reflection to determine which option felt like the best fit.
“Choosing between colleges was conflicting. I was visiting schools, and I felt confused, but I was also just trying to see which college would be the best fit,” Needleman said.
To help narrow her options, Needleman created a spreadsheet listing the pros and cons of each school. After visiting campuses and gathering information, she said she felt confident in her final decision.
“It feels really relieving to just know where I am going for the next four years,” Needleman said. “Being able to narrow it down from my top two was super relieving. I feel like I am going to feel really comfortable where I’m going.”
While many seniors pursue traditional four-year universities, others take different paths after graduation. Ella Newman, a member of the class of 2023, chose to attend cosmetology school instead of enrolling in a university immediately after high school.
Newman said her decision was driven by her interests and readiness for a career-focused path.
“I decided to attend cosmetology school before a four-year university because I knew I had a passion for makeup, as well as an interest in other aspects of cosmetology such as hair cutting,” Newman said.
Through cosmetology school and working in the field, Newman said she gained practical experience while still keeping future education options open.
“A great advantage to choosing this path is that I am now attending college, pursuing a new career, while already gaining experience and working as a professional in a cosmetology career,” Newman said.
Newman also acknowledged the pressure many students feel to attend a four-year university immediately after high school.
“There is definitely pressure for high school students to attend a four-year university as soon as possible,” Newman said. “There should be no shame in choosing a path different from a four-year university, including choosing to go to community college first.”
Educators say it is important for students to recognize that success can come through many different paths.
Robinson emphasized that students should focus on making decisions that align with their goals rather than comparing themselves to others.
“It’s important for students to understand there are multiple paths after high school because there is so much pressure to get into the most competitive colleges right now,” Robinson said.
As seniors prepare to graduate and begin the next chapter of their lives, Robinson and other educators encourage students to make thoughtful decisions and make the best of whatever situation or place they find themselves in.
“Students should think about taking advantage of the opportunities they’re given, no matter where they end up,” Robinson said.
Whether committing to a university, attending trade school, or exploring other options, students should learn that there is no single path to success after high school.
“When you’re deciding where to go, you shouldn’t give in to any pressure from anyone else. Always go with where you think you belong,” Needleman said.
