The end of college decision season is a tumultuous time for graduates. The class of 2026’s seniors are currently celebrating their wins, while also coming to grips with results that didn’t turn out how they expected. Now at the end, they are reflecting on their own application process, looking back on their experiences with more knowledge and perspective. Whether it’s about taking your time or finding your perfect school, this is the class of 2026’s advice to Juniors and underclassmen about the college admissions process.
ALAN CLOUTIER: “Focus on what you want to do in your essays… you don’t have to do the basic stuff.”
When it comes to college admissions, the personal statement – a uniquely individual, 650 word essay most colleges require when applying – is arguably the most infamous process. Alan Cloutier, a senior committed to Michigan State for Kinesiology and Army ROTC, emphasized the importance of fine-tuning your essays to show not just a story of overcoming challenges, but one that focuses on what you want to do in the future. “I was trying to do ROTC and West Point and all that stuff, so I talked about being a military kid, having military experience and my passion towards joining the military, so that really helped me get along in my application.” For students who don’t know what they want to do in the future, though, Cloutier made sure to point out that “you have time to figure it out. You don’t have to stress too much about it.”
ABBY CZZOWITZ: “Don’t procrastinate… but also don’t forget to appreciate the little things.”
Abby Czzowitz, a senior committed to Virginia Tech for Aerospace Engineering and Corps of Cadets (Navy ROTC), has two pieces of college advice for underclassmen–the first? “Don’t procrastinate. I definitely know that at the beginning [of the college admissions process], you’re like, “oh, I have plenty of time”, and then November or January starts rolling around, and everything will build.” Czzowitz specifically highlighted the importance of brainstorming ideas for supplemental essays before the start of “[Internal Assessment] season”, where IB classes require essays to be submitted. Czzowitz’s second piece of advice also pertained to getting things done before being swept up into Senior year, but in a more holistic way. Looking back on senior year, she wants to make sure rising seniors “appreciate the little things. It’s great to celebrate the big things, like “oh, I got into college”, but… next year, you’re not gonna be here. You might, I don’t know, not have a locker ever again. Take a moment to appreciate the things Robinson has to offer.”
ABBY HUISMAN: “Work really hard at the beginning so you have some wiggle room at the end.”
University of Virginia committed senior Abby Huisman, who plans to major in Kinesiology, thinks starting the year off strong before senioritis and burnout inevitably hits is key for rising seniors during the college admissions process. “I think it’s really important to start off on a good foot in order to set yourself up for success–taking hard classes, and just, like, really working hard the first semester or first quarter. [That way, you put] yourself in a good spot for college admissions.”
KIERA OH: “You can do a lot of good writing in however much time you want.”
Robinson senior and incoming Virginia Tech student majoring in Architecture Kiera Oh wants to emphasize that whatever time you have is the best time to do your application.“Even if a deadline is getting close, and you think that since it’s getting close, you can’t do [the application] as well or [your] like, you know, nervous, it’s ok. Like, you still have time…it’s more about how you think and put effort in.” For Oh, this was especially relevant for her own college admissions – “My [Virginia] Tech essays, I think I did in like, a day or two- and I mean, that’s where I’m going, right? So, take your time.”
MIAH SCOTT: “There’s no such thing as a ‘bad school.’”
For Miah Scott, an incoming sociology major and music minor at William and Mary, what feels right for you as a student is more important than name recognition. “You’re gonna do great wherever you are. Wherever you end up is the perfect [school] for you.” Scott emphasized that this is easier to say than to do, but also speaks to experiences with her friends finding schools that were perfect fits for them: “there are people that have found schools that they had no idea about and ended up loving them. It doesn’t matter where you go as long as it’s good for you.”
JADEN SIMS: “If you really space out your time, the application process is really not that stressful.”
Finance Major and Hampton University committed senior Jaden Sims’s advice hinges on not procrastinating, but also that the importance of learning how to manage your time. For college admissions, he suggests that “as soon as Common App opens in August – I think it’s August 1st–just get right on it. Fill out all the information you have, and slowly gather the rest throughout the coming months or weeks.”
HOLLI SELMAN: “Focus on your grades and what makes you happiest.”
Robinson College and Career counselor Holli Selman has identified two big areas of focus for underclassmen – your grades and your passions. Academically, “your grades all throughout high school matter. Coming to me [during your] senior year, we can’t go back and fix [past] grades, but as underclassmen, you can really focus on them.” As for following your passions, Ms. Selman emphasized quality in your extracurriculars, not just quantity – “don’t think that colleges want you to do a million things just to do them. They’d rather you look at a few things you’re really passionate about and spend your time doing that.”
