Breya's last interview

Breya is finished! She had a number of universities to choose from, and she made her final decision. Congratulations, University of Michigan, on scoring a great first-year student! And congratulations, Breya, on your graduation and new life as a Wolverine! Read the full interview below.

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Breya attends a public high school in Ohio

Have you made a commitment to a college? Where did you choose?

I made a commitment to the University of Michigan with the backup of Ohio State, depending on how much I get in scholarships at the end of the year.

How did you make your final decision? What were the factors you considered, and what was the deciding factor?

The University of Michigan has everything I want in a college. It is out-of-state, has an amazing study abroad program, and I was offered a spot in the Summer Bridge program, so I would have a opportunity to earn more college credits before actually starting college. Out-of-state and affordability were basically my deciding factors.

How does it feel to be finished with college admissions?

It feels nice to be done because it was extremely stressful for me as I don’t really have a support system so I went through a lot of it by myself.

If a current high school junior asked you for a single piece of advice, what would you tell them?

I would tell them to make sure they hold themselves accountable, especially if they have no support system. It will make life way easier and make sure that you are on top of everything.

What have you got left in terms of high school? Is there still a lot going on, or do you get to coast and relax a little bit?

Next week, I have my Phlebotomy exam, along with my AP Chem exam and club photos for the yearbook. I would say that I still have a lot to do before I get to relax.

What are your summer plans?

I plan on working this summer and attending the Summer Bridge program for the University of Michigan. I also plan on preparing myself for college, outside of academics. I also want to enjoy my hobbies more.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

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Julianna's last interview

Julianna still has some AP tests coming up, as well as normal everyday school. But her college application season is completely finished. This may have been the calmest, most successful season I’ve witnessed. Even with Covid. Read her final interview of the year below. Congratulations, Julianna, and thank you!

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Julianna attends a public high school in Kentucky

I assume your plans haven't changed, and you're still on track for the University of Georgia next year?

Yes, I am a bulldog through and through! In the last few weeks, I received decisions from my final three schools. I was accepted to Northwestern and Boston University, and I was waitlisted at Syracuse. BU even offered me a full tuition scholarship! But I have no regrets about my decision to attend UGA, and this is absolutely the best fit for me.

What did you do over Spring Break? Did you go on the trip with your aunt?

Over spring break, I went to Red River Gorge with some friends. It’s a state park in Kentucky, and one of my favorite places. We had a few days of hiking and adventure!

What's the rest of your school year look like? Are you still busy? Has senioritis taken over?

I received my first vaccine dose last week, so soon things will start to look more normal. We will be having graduation outside in person, so I’m looking forward to that. I have AP tests to worry about, but all in all it should be a pretty relaxed rest of the year. Senioritis has definitely taken over, but I’m trying to just chill and recharge before I have to be back in the game in college!

How does it feel to be finished with the college application process?

It’s relieving to be done. I never expected to end up where I am, but I wouldn’t want to be going anywhere else in the fall. I feel like everything is falling into place.

If a current high school junior asked you for a single piece of advice, what would you tell them?

I would tell them to put their authentic self into everything, and really prioritize their own opinions. For too long, I was preoccupied with the notion that some schools don’t compare to others. But after really listening to my heart, I know I’m going where I need to be- even if it’s not where I would have expected.

What do you wish I had asked you that I didn't? What else would you like to share? (Personal note to a future journalist: the "what should have I asked that I didn't" question is one that I learned from my journalist mother. I heard her interview many people through the years, and she almost always ended with something like that. I once heard her ask someone "what is it you're not supposed to tell me that you're dying to tell me?" and they talked another 30 minutes.)

I love the anecdote you mentioned regarding this question. My mother was a journalist who graduated from Northwestern in 1991. She passed away in 2013, and I always dreamed about going to NU. For that reason, it was hard to be accepted and turn it down. But at the end of the day, I know she is proud and happy for me. I won’t be following her footsteps in terms of schools, but she’ll be guiding me with her example every step of the way on my own journey to become a journalist.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.

Breya is getting close

High school students—especially current juniors—take note. When we think about the stress of college applications, we often focus on the fall. All those forms, all those essays! And then, we tell ourselves, we get acceptances and make our choice. Much simpler! But Breya’s experience is like a lot of people’s. She’s got acceptances from half her applications. Congratulations! But financial aid offers aren’t all in yet, and some are going to be appealed. For many, the time from March to June is actually much more difficult. Read the full interview below.

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Breya attends a public high school in Ohio

You said last month that you were hoping to go on some campus visits for Spring Break. Were you able to do that? Where all did you go?

I was able to see one campus so far, which happened to be Xavier University. I’m still on Spring Break, so I am hoping to visit Howard before it is over.

Have you heard back from all your colleges now? What news did you get in the past month?

I am supposed to get my final college decision in 3 days. But so far, I have gotten into more than half of my colleges. This month, I have gotten into the University of Michigan.

Have you made a decision yet? If so, can you explain your thinking? If not, can you explain what questions you're pondering and what factors you're considering? Are you attempting to get any offers changed, either in terms of acceptance or financial aid packages?

I have not made a decision yet due to still waiting for decisions and financial aid letters. I am trying to get financial aid packages changed for two colleges. Ohio State marked me as out-of-state so I am in the process of proving my residency. Also, I got no financial aid from Spelman so I am trying to work that out as well.

You're almost to the end of applications and decisions! How do you feel?

I feel excited and very anxious at the same time. I feel that it is a good thing but I am also thinking about what happens next.

What's something you feel good about right now, either related to school or not?

Something I feel good about right now is that I got a scholarship through school and I also got a new laptop for school.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

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Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.

Tyra's last interview

Of the dozen high school seniors I’ve got to know through Meet the Class, Tyra has been the first in several ways. She’s the first to live in a rural area. The first to go to community college. The first to choose her college early on in the process and stick with it. Now that her plans are settled for next year, this is the last check-in with her. Thanks, Tyra, for letting us all follow along and get a sense of the variety of colleges and college students out there!

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Tyra attends a public high school in Iowa

I assume your plans haven't changed, and you're still on track for Iowa Lakes next year to study to become a vet tech?

My plans have only changed in the sense that I am now going to live off campus as my boyfriend plans to move down there with me.

Do you have any Spring Break plans?

My only plans over break was to work and spend time with my family as my days of living in my hometown are coming to an end.

What kind of "normal" spring activities will you have? Graduation? Prom? What are you most looking forward to in your final months of high school?

We have both graduation and prom coming up. I am extremelg excited for both events and they should, to my understanding, run somewhat normally dispote COVID. I am personally looking forward to prom with my boyfriend followed by graduation and the feeling of finally being done.

How does it feel to be finished with the college application process?

It is so freeing not having to worry about which college to chose. Now I am focused on finding an apartment and getting the necessary items for said apartment.

If a current high school junior asked you for a single piece of advice, what would you tell them?

Don't waste your final days. There is not many left and they will completely fly by. It sounds cheesy, but cherish every moment before it's gone.

Anything else to share that I didn't think about?

I just want to thank you for this experience!

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.

Breya is still waiting

The great news is that Breya has heard back from half her applications and has several options available to her next year. However, the financial aid offers aren’t all as promising. In the next few weeks she’ll hear from the other half. Read the full interview below.

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Breya attends a public high school in Ohio

Have you heard back from any other schools? What's your present situation?

I have heard from one more school since our last Meet the Class post. I heard from Spelman and I got in. So far, I have gotten decisions and acceptances from half of the schools on my list. The only schools I am waiting for now are the big ones.

It seems like you've still got a lot of options left on the table. How does that make you feel? Is that empowering to know there's still a lot of ways this can go? Or does it make you a little anxious? Both? What's your state of mind right now concerning the next six or seven months before you begin college...wherever that will be?

I am quickly learning just how bad COVID messed up things in the college world. While it seems that I have a lot of options, I am not able to afford most of them so far so that is definitely cutting down my list. Having some options is making me feel a little better but I’m nervous that I can’t afford to go anywhere.

I'm curious about all the ways that colleges--especially the ones you applied to--have communicated with you. Has it been mostly email? Do they send texts? Old-fashioned mail? Have you seen them pop up in your social media feeds in a way that makes it clear they're targeting you? How do you prefer to interact with colleges you're interested in?

I have experienced all of the ways you listed above, besides social media, which I feel is a good thing as I’m not really on social media. I’ve also had a few colleges call me. I prefer email because I check it everyday.

Based on the news you've got so far, what would you do if you had to make the decision today? What's your thinking behind that?

If I had to make a decision today, I would probably choose Xavier, due to it being the most affordable school at the moment.

Have you got any Spring Break plans?

I am planning on going on a few campus visits and a road trip.

What kind of "normal" spring activities will you have? Graduation? Prom? What are you most looking forward to in your final months of high school?

We are supposed to have all of the above. In the next two weeks, we are having senior pictures. We are probably going to have graduation the way they did it last year. We had a livestream where it was one person/family in the room at a time. Everyone got to walk the stage and take pictures. I’m looking forward to graduating, leaving, and never coming back.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.

Julianna is finished!

The dream of many high school seniors: get accepted to your top-choice university, with a full scholarship. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes it does. Read all of Julianna’s exciting news below.

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Julianna attends a public high school in Kentucky

Let's go over your list to begin:

University of Georgia. Top choice. Accepted with scholarship.
Indiana University
DePaul University. Accepted with scholarship
Boston University
American University
Syracuse University
Northwestern University
University of Missouri
Ohio University

Have you heard back from any other schools? What's your present situation?

I heard back from Ohio University and received a large scholarship there, as well as admission to their Honors Tutorial College program. I am still waiting to hear back from Northwestern, Boston University, and Syracuse.

How did your interview for the UGA Foundation Fellowship go? When do you expect to hear if you get it? Are you still committed to Georgia?

My interview was fantastic, and my dad and I enjoyed a great (albeit virtual) weekend together getting introduced to the program. I have already heard back, and I was chosen as a Foundation Fellow! I'm thrilled and following notification of the news, officially committed to attend the University of Georgia. We have submitted the enrollment deposit and everything! I couldn't be more excited and I know this is the absolute perfect choice for me. I will be paying zero over the next four years. Not only does the Foundation Fellowship grant me full tuition and full room-and-board/fees, but it also provides almost $30,000 in travel stipends for me to spend lots of time abroad during my undergraduate career. All first year Fellows go on a Maymester trip to Oxford University to study, so that's the closest thing I have to look forward to. The rest of the travel is at my discretion to use. I couldn't be happier. Plus, UGA has already announced that fall 2021 will be fully in person with a total return to normal operations. I can't wait to begin college and move past this pandemic!

How are you feeling? Are there any lingering Covid problems?

I'm feeling great, I am completely recovered from COVID. I am technically an employee of my high school because I am paid for my work live-streaming sports games. This means I may be able to receive a vaccine soon! My dad is scheduled to receive his first dose later this month, and I'm so relieved.

Do you have any spring break plans?

No spring break plans as of yet! My aunt has suggested a girls trip to Georgia, though! I might take her up on it!

What kind of "normal" spring activities will you have? Graduation? Prom? What are you most looking forward to in your final months of high school?

Honestly, I'm feeling senioritis more than ever. There is no sparkle to senior year without the things like prom, senior Washington D.C. trip, and other key things I'll be missing out on. I just want to move forward. The school has released tentative plans for graduation to be held outside. It still won't be the same, but better than nothing I guess.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.

Breya has finished applications

Breya’s school situation is still in Covid-related chaos, but her college application process is right on track. She’s applied to 10 schools, already been accepted to four (congratulations!), and is expecting financial aid information soon. Read the full interview below.

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Breya attends a public high school in Ohio

Last month you were worried that this semester might end up being "like a ton of bricks." How's it going so far at school? And how's your Phlebotomy prep going?

School is still the same right now, but it isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. We are supposed to be going back in the end of March. I’m not sure if I am going to go back or not though. My Phlebotomy prep is going great so far. We are learning about the different tubes and tube tops, along with the sizes of needles.

Did you get your 10th application out? Did you throw in any other last-minute changes to your list? Have you heard back from anyone yet?

Yes, I got my last application out. I didn’t change anything else about my list. I heard back from Ohio State and I got in. I have gotten into all of my Early Action schools (Xavier, Hampton, Ohio State, North Carolina A&T). I probably won’t hear from any other schools until later as I applied to them for Regular Decision.

A major topic in college admissions for the past year has been testing and colleges going test optional. Did you submit SAT or ACT scores with any of your applications? Did you have test scores to submit, and if so how do you go about deciding if you'd include them with your application?

Yes, I took the ACT twice and the SAT once. I only sent my test scores to two schools, which are Hampton and Howard. I only sent them because they were required for merit scholarships in the program I applied for. I only sent my highest ACT scores.

How's it going on the financial aid front? Are schools being realistic? Generous? Disappointing? How likely does it seem right now that your top-choice school will also be affordable?

It is going pretty good. I finished my FASFA before I started applying to schools so I should start getting my packets in a few weeks. For many of the schools, I would say between generous and disappointing. I will probably have to do work study or something along those lines wherever I go.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.

Tyra is set in her path

It’s been a strange and difficult school year for the three seniors I’m following for Meet the Class. All of them have described chaotic and frustrating school experiences. All of their schools have had waves of Covid, and at least one of them had Covid herself. The year has been bad in so many ways.

Strangely enough, it’s been the calmest and most drama-free year of Meet the Class I’ve done in terms of college. By early February, two of the three have their college choices settled. When Tyra said last month that she was ready to coast through the end of high school and soak it all in, I was skeptical. But so far, so good! Read the full interview below.

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Tyra attends a public high school in Iowa

Just checking: the plan is still to begin the vet tech program at Iowa Lakes next fall? Has any of that changed?

My plan has not changed one bit.

Most of the people I work with are still very much in the middle of things and waiting. Maybe they've got acceptances or deferrals from early admissions, but for the most part they still need to hear back from other places to know what's in store next fall. How does it feel to be done? You had one application and one plan B ready. Does that feel good? Do you have any tinges of "what could have been" had you applied to more places? Do you recommend more people begin at community college?

I have no regrets with my choice. I know what I want and I am excited to graduate. I am also empathetic towards my peers who are struggling with their acceptances and trying to decide where to go. I was actually waitlisted for my plan b school which ended up not being needed anyway.

Last month you mentioned needing to raise some money for dorm room shopping. Is that all the fundraising you're doing? Is your school affordable otherwise? Is there any financial aid involved?

I will rely heavily on financial aid as my mom is a single mother and my father is not in the picture. I currently have a job and am saving up my money in order to make it more affordable.

Your plan to relax and "soak in" your last semester--how is that going? Is all well?

It is going well, I am taking a lot of pictures with my friends and really realizing how much I will miss my high school.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.

Julianna has decided!

Julianna has some news: Boo Covid! Yay Bulldogs! Read the full interview below.

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Julianna attends a public high school in Kentucky

Last month you were very much in waiting mode. Has there been any news?

There has been lots of news since I last answered these question! I actually found out that I am a finalist for the University of Georgia’s Foundation Fellowship, which is their full ride scholarship program. There are 48 finalists, and after an interview weekend at the end of this month, 30 will be awarded the full scholarship. However, all finalists are automatically awarded Ramsey Scholarships, which are also extremely generous. With all of this in mind, and with UGA being my first choice anyway, I have committed! Go Dawgs!

How's it going on the financial aid front? Are schools being realistic? Generous? Disappointing? How likely does it seem right now that your top-choice school will also be affordable? I ask this question of almost everyone, but I know that you were hoping to specifically hear from UGA by the end of January.

I haven’t heard much about financial aid from my schools so far, and I’m still waiting on admissions decisions from Boston University, Northwestern, and Syracuse. Those are set to come in March. Although I’ve already committed, I’m looking forward to hearing back. I expect more financial aid information will be sent my way in the months to come.

How's school going? Are you still on campus and still relatively safe?

School has been good! We are fully in person. In the last week of January, I actually was diagnosed with COVID-19 and I’ve been at home. I’m going back to school this week though, so I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again and I’m feeling much better.

A major topic in college admissions for the past year has been testing and colleges going test optional. Did you submit SAT or ACT scores with any of your applications? Did you have test scores to submit, and if so how do you go about deciding if you'd include them with your application?

I am lucky enough to have been able to take the ACT multiple times, and each time I had a score in the high thirties. For me, submitting scores was a no brainer. I know that many students aren’t as fortunate to have that option though, and I believe that test optional admissions is the future, one step below eradicating standardized tests completely.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.

Juniors, should you take the next SAT or ACT?

There’s an ACT test coming up on February 6, and the regular registration deadline is tomorrow, January 15. There’s an SAT on March 13th, with a registration deadline February 12th. Should current juniors consider taking either of these tests?

Nope.

The main reason I'm not recommending anyone take the ACT in February or SAT in March is simply the Covid situation. With the numbers as high as they are, I just don't feel comfortable encouraging anyone to go into a group setting in the near future. Last fall there was a lot of chaos surrounding test administration, with many test sites closing at the last minute, so I don't have full confidence that registering for the spring exams will even get you into the spring exams. I would look ahead to the June or August exams instead of spring. That will still give you plenty of time to re-take if you want.

Another reason to put off testing is the number of universities that are test optional. A growing number of colleges were already test optional. And then last year a whole lot more went test optional, some for one year and some for multiple years. But the ones that only gave a one-year break are likely to do it again (at least one already has), because the pandemic is even worse right now than it was last June. By the time you are applying this fall, It may be that the majority—or even all—of the schools you’re considering won’t even be requiring test scores. So risking an unhealthy situation for an unnecessary test just doesn’t seem like a great idea.

Let’s also look at reasons why you might want to take the test soon:

You want to take the test once, early, to get it out of the way and focus on other things in the summer and fall. I love the thinking behind this. I don’t, however, think it’s all that likely to happen. In my experience, almost nobody is ever happy with their test scores. Even if you take the test and get what you think is a good score, there will still be some tempting reason to take it again and aim for a higher score. Your scores will be just under the mid-range of a school, and you want to get them up just a little bit more. Your scores will be just under the top 25% of a school, and you want to get them up just a little bit more. Your score will have a 9 in it—either a 29 composite for the ACT or a combined SAT score that ends with 90—and you want to get it up just a little bit more. That just a little bit more is going to be hard to resist, and so the “once and early” strategy often fails. But if you think you will actually do it this way, go for it…in June. Not right now.

You want to get a baseline score to help you plan for test prep and retakes. Again, this is completely rational and practical. You probably have an idea of where you want your test scores to be, so now you need to know where you are. I get that. But again, you can put off your first exam until June and still be able to execute that plan. You can also take practice tests to get a good idea of your starting point, and they are free and can be done from the safety of your own home.

You want to take the exam as often as possible for superscoring purposes. This is something I hear less often. Most the people I’ve worked with who took the exam a bunch of times thought they’d take the test once, maybe twice. Then they just ended up taking it three or more times because they kept chasing that just a little bit more. Some students, though, absolutely do decide early on that they’ll take the exam four or five time to get the highest possible score. While I don’t endorse this approach, I do understand it. And again, if this is your plan you can take the SAT five times between June and December. Give it time.

But there’s another way to think about testing, an approach I do endorse: don’t take them at all. Not this spring, not this summer, not this fall. Decide right now that you’re only going to apply to test-optional or test-blind schools. There are lots of reasons to dislike the tests, and Fairtest is good at explaining them. Here’s the thing that I always come back to, though: every other part of your college application has value far beyond college applications. Doing well in your high school classes, being involved in your community, strengthening your writing skills, practicing interviews, taking action to pursue your interests—all these are valuable on their own. But a college-entrance exam has no value once you enter college. It’s extremely limited in usefulness. So I encourage you to skip that part. It’s not worth it.

Does that mean you’re eliminating choices based solely on their testing policy? Yes. But there are thousands of colleges and universities. You’ll only apply to maybe a dozen, and only attend one. Elimination is what the process is all about. But isn’t testing policy a pretty arbitrary reason to eliminate choices? Yes. But so are other reasons. You want to stay within 100 miles of home? Arbitrary. You want to avoid places that are hot, or avoid places that are cold? Arbitrary. You want to go to a college with a “good reputation?” Arbitrary. It’s fine to use an arbitrary reason to pass on a college. But could you be letting go of a college that would otherwise be a really great fit? Absolutely. But remember that wherever you go to college, you will also be letting go of colleges that are also a really good fit.

If you’re not ready to make that leap, I understand. There may be a college you really have your heart set on, and they require you to take the SAT or ACT. That’s fine, I’m not judging you. But I still believe it’s time we all—students, parents, counselors, consultants, teachers, all of us—start thinking of the SAT and/or ACT as a special opt-in circumstance, not the default that only a certain subset of students opt out of. You can go to a really great college and have a really great career and a good life without ever taking one of those exams. Think about how nice that can be.

Be safe. Be careful.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Read these related posts: Should you submit your test scores to a test-optional college? and It seriously looks like SAT/ACT testing is going away.

3. Ask a question—or share other resources—in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It’s not trying to sell you anything. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Breya is having a rough time

Breya’s school year has been up and down. This month sounds pretty down. She’s got most her college applications out and is still moving along, but she’s showing some doubt about this school year. Read the full interview below.

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Breya attends a public high school in Ohio

How were your holidays? Do you feel rested and ready for the rest of the school year?

My holidays were good. Maybe not the best, but it’s usually the same. I’m not sure. I’m kind of nervous for the rest of the year. And I feel that next semester is going to be like a ton of bricks.

Have you now got all your applications out? DId you change your list at all? Is it still Ohio State, Hampton, Howard, Spelman, North Carolina A&T State, Xavier, Columbia, UChicago, Michigan, and UPenn?

I have 9 out of 10 applications out. I have not changed my list at all.

Have you got any news? I know you already had some acceptances come in. Any more?

No, I haven’t gotten anything else yet. It made me nervous at first but maybe it is a good thing. I don’t know.

Assuming you've sent in all your college applications, reflect on the past five months: do you have any regrets? Have you gained any wisdom you can share? Is it what you expected it to be?

I regret putting too much on my plate. Everyone talks about how senior year is the year where you can relax a little bit after finishing exams and applications but I haven’t been able to just have time for myself. It is not what I expected it would be. I thought that I would have more help or at least have people who cared. I have learned that a little stress can push you a long way, but a lot of stress can make everything not as fun or exciting as it should be. My advice is to make time for yourself and do what makes you happy.

You've reached the point where you no longer add to your college list but start reducing it to the final one. What's your plan? What are your priorities? What's your best-case scenario that will make you the happiest?

Right now, I am thinking about if I can actually afford to go to a certain college and if it feels right for me. I’m not really sure right now of my complete process yet.

What does your spring semester look like? How's your school holding up?

My spring semester looks about the same as my fall semester. I’m still taking the same amount of courses. I’m hoping that it might be a little less stressful than the previous semester. I am currently prepping for my Phlebotomy certification test that is in March.

My school is still pretty much the same. They are still going back and forth with whether or not they want to open back up and how.

Do you have any college-related events coming up, either in person or online?

I am hoping to go on a few more visits before I have to really choose where I want to go. Along with some more videos and things.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.

Julianna is waiting

On one hand, there’s nothing left to do to get college applications out. And that’s nice. But on the other hand, there’s, um, nothing to do but wait. And that’s not always so easy. Julianna, like a lot of high school seniors, is in the waiting period. Read about that and more below.

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Julianna attends a public high school in Kentucky

How were your holidays? Do you feel rested and ready for the rest of the school year?

My holidays were great! I was able to spend time with family while still being safe. I traveled to Oregon to visit my best friend, who goes to the University of Oregon, so I’m still jet lagged since my return, but it was a nice break and I’m looking forward to finishing my final semester of high school.

Have you now got all your applications out? DId you change your list at all? Is it still UGA, Indiana, DePaul, BU, American, Syracuse, Northwestern, Mizzou, and Ohio?

All of my applications have officially been submitted and my list is the same as it has been. I’m very happy with how things have turned out so far.

Have you got any news? I know you already had an acceptance come in. Any more?

In terms of news, I did find out that I was accepted to the honors program at the University of Georgia and I received a merit scholarship, both of which are relatively uncommon for out of state students. I'm over the moon.

Assuming you've sent in all your college applications, reflect on the past five months: do you have any regrets? Have you gained any wisdom you can share? Is it what you expected it to be?

The past five months haven't been nearly as stressful as I thought they would be. Finding intrinsic motivation has been difficult at times, but for the most part I think it's really been, more than anything, exciting. Getting to think about the future in a real, tangible way, with college acceptances in your hand instead of in your dreams, definitely changes the game. I feel like maybe I could have worked harder, or made different decisions about what to write about. In the long term, however, I am confident that I will end up where I need to be. I really am proud of myself for setting myself up for success in that regard. Too many students apply to places they don't want to go, and I've never understood. There is money to be found in lots of places if you know where to look.

You've reached the point where you no longer add to your college list but start reducing it to the final one. What's your plan? What are your priorities? What's your best-case scenario that will make you the happiest?

Right now, I'm waiting. I've never been one for patience, so it's a bit nerve-wracking. My best case scenario would be receiving the University of Georgia's Foundation Fellowship, or at least becoming a finalist and receiving the Bernard Ramsey scholarship. These scholarships are nearly full rides, and UGA is my top choice. Right now, even with the merit money I was given, it isn't affordable. I'll hear if I am a finalist by the end of January, so I'm trying to distract myself and think positively while I wait. I also have some fantastic schools that I'm still waiting to hear from, and those may be game changers depending on whether or not I receive financial aid. It all depends! I'm just excited to be along for the ride. At this point, I strongly feel like I've done all I can do and I'm okay with that.

What does your spring semester look like? How's your school holding up?

My school has started back in person, and this time I truly believe we are here to stay. I'm just going to spend this final semester solidifying my friendships, staying safe, and savoring every last minute of childhood. Graduation seems so far away until suddenly, you're ordering a cap and gown. You're wondering how it's already over. 12 years suddenly feels like 12 seconds. Despite the nostalgia I'm feeling, and the added grief I have for my lost prom, football games, and other events, I'm more ready than ever to move on and begin the next chapter.

Do you have any college-related events coming up, either in person or online?

I do not have any college related events coming up. I have done as much research as I could possibly do at this point, so I'm just trying to distract myself from the waiting!

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.

Tyra is having mixed emotions

Tyra is beginning her winding down of high school. There are still months to go, but she’s already looking ahead to college and beginning to relax. Not all seniors are at this point so early in the year, but many will get to this point soon. Read the full interview below.

Meet the Class gets updated each month from September to May. Each installment features an interview about both the facts and the feelings of where the student is in the process.

Interviews may be edited lightly for clarity and grammar. Names may be changed to protect privacy. 

Tyra attends a public high school in Iowa

How were your holidays? Do you feel rested and ready for the rest of the school year?

The holidays were fine, and I am starting to get the mixed emotions about senior year. Like I am extremely happy to graduate but at the same time I am sad to leave everything that I know behind. As for rested, today was my first day back and I am completely shot and beyond tired.

You're still on track for the vet tech program? Can you tell me the school? What--other than finish high school--do you need to do to be prepared for the program? Are there any other requirements or classes? Anything for you to do this spring or summer for that?

I am excited to attend Iowa Lakes Community College for their veterinary technician program. I am on track and will take four total college-level classes that will get me credits for my degree this year already. So then once I am into my first term I will only have vet tech classes, which I think will be a huge load off of my back. I need to save some money to go dorm room shopping, that’s for sure. I have barely anything bought yet and need to make a list.

Assuming you're set on that being your school, reflect on the past five months: do you have any regrets? Have you gained any wisdom you can share? Is it what you expected it to be?

I would not say I have any regrets, I am just happy to be a senior. I have been making friends with underclassmen who I generally do not like and can say I have learned a thing or two about their generation and how it’s much different than mine.

What does your spring semester look like? How's your school holding up?

As for this semester, I have an extremely light load and plan to use my time in order to just relax and soak up the rest of my high school career. My school is holding up well I would say, there are not too many new cases and the Covid vaccine just made its way into our small town.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Check out interviews with other Meet the Class seniors.

3. Ask a question in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Angela Elisabeth.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.