As the school year comes to a close, seniors are finishing their last week of high school.
For some, this last week is sad and nostalgic; for others, it is the light at the end of the tunnel. And for many, it is a mix.
Currently, about 525 students in the senior class; according to Jim Kelly, the Activities Director at Carlmont.
This senior class underwent the most competitive year for college admissions ever; according to Business Insider, Angela Dunnham, a college admissions counselor at InGenius Prep and former assistant director of admissions at Dartmouth College said, “In addition to the sheer number of applicants applying, the expectations for candidates have increased.”
Twelfth-grader Angela Grundig felt that there was an increased level of competition this year.
Grundig said, “This year was especially challenging with college because it keeps getting more and more competitive. Some people have really high hopes and feel let down when they don’t get into their dream schools, but it seems like even the people with realistic goals and target schools were often rejected this year.”
Many students and parents alike feel that a part of college acceptances is up to luck.
“[College acceptances are] so random. One of my friends and I applied to nearly all the same schools; we have similar scores and grades and extracurriculars, but we didn’t get into any of the same schools. No one really knows what to expect anymore,” said Grundig.
Other students are taking alternative routes after high school. Artie Hazelton, a senior, plans to take a gap year in order to earn his real estate license.
“I plan on taking a gap year and getting my real estate license and a job during the next year. In order to get a license, I must complete three courses for a total of 135 hours; then I can take the real estate license exam. After that, I plan to get a job at an established firm. After the gap year, I plan to go to UC Davis because I enrolled there for the next school year, but I might reapply depending on what happens this next year,” said Hazelton.
Graham Barnes is one of several students who will be attending a community college next year.
“I chose to go to community college because I want to save money for my family, whom I put first, so it’s convenient for me because I also get to stay close to my family for another two years or so,” Barnes said.
As seniors’ finals are coming to a close, many are planning to attend the end-of-year events: Senior Picnic, graduation practice, graduation itself, and Grad Night.
Denise Steward, a Carlmont English teacher, believes that the class of 2018 wasn’t one to forget.
“I believe that the class of 2018 was one of the most intelligent, compassionate, and interesting group of people I have ever met. They will go very, very far, and they are good people,” said Steward.
