The first senior meeting of 2013-14 marked the beginning of the college application process for many of Community high schools seniors. The meeting began with the matter of CHS parking. Kevin Davis, the school hall monitor, made sure that students knew which parking spots were available to them, and reminded students that if they get a ticket they can expect no help from Community staff. Dean Jen Hein talked about the potential negative effects of social media before moving into the main focus of the meeting, college applications.
Community High School counselor John Boshoven, accompanied by an admissions worker from Case Western Reserve University, was the main speaker. He told students the basics of filling out the Common Application, getting the necessary letters of recommendation and sending test scores to schools. Boshoven strongly recommended that students applying in-state get their applications in before the fourth of October to give themselves the best chance of getting into schools, such as the University of Michigan. The students were also informed about upcoming workshops for writing college essays. Boshoven and the Case Western admissions representative then took questions from seniors about their applications.
Applying to college is, for many students, one of the most stressful parts of high school and the senior meetings are meant not only to provide assistance but help them through the process. “You feel like you have to be perfect and there is no perfect,” said counselor Diane Grant. “The senior meeting is telling you about what is coming, so you’re prepared but we really really hope that every senior takes the initiative to ask for what they need because everybody is different.”
The seniors mostly had the same reaction to the meeting. Danny Langa a senior at CHS felt that the meeting was positive. He also said that he was excited to start the process of applying for college. “It’s a lot of work but I am excited”. He is applying to some schools early and is hoping the process will be done in December. Some seniors are more ambivalent about the process. “I don’t care,” said Gabe Schat “It’s a game and I intend to win.”
The senior meeting covered many important topics such as applying to college, including a college admissions rep offering his advice, parking at Community and the negative effects of social medias. The senior meeting provided a good introduction one of the most difficult parts of the year for high school seniors.
