Senior year is an exciting milestone, but it can also be one of the most demanding times in a student’s life. With the goal of finding the right college, high school seniors face a unique set of challenges as they manage applications, academics, extracurriculars, and personal decisions. Below is a look at what students can expect as they approach this pivotal year.
Balancing Deadlines and Responsibilities
College applications come with many deadlines, from early decision and regular decision dates to scholarship and financial aid submissions. Students often juggle multiple application requirements while staying on top of coursework and other commitments. This can lead to intense periods of time management and prioritization as students work to ensure that they submit applications on time.
Managing Test Preparation and Scores
For many students, test scores remain an important part of their applications. Even as more colleges move to test-optional policies, some students still feel obligated to submit scores. Preparing for exams like the SAT or ACT can be time-consuming and stressful, especially when balancing other academic responsibilities.
Handling Financial Aid and Scholarship Applications
Understanding the cost of college is often one of the biggest hurdles for families. Navigating financial aid forms, scholarship opportunities, and student loan options can be overwhelming, and students may feel additional pressure to make choices based on financial considerations. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and researching scholarships can become another time-consuming aspect of the college process.
Uncertainty and Decision Fatigue
Throughout this journey, many seniors experience stress from uncertainty—wondering if they will get into their dream school, whether they’ve chosen the right schools to apply to, or how they’ll handle possible rejections. With so many decisions to make, from application choices to major selections, it’s natural for students to feel decision fatigue by the end of the process.
So Why SCU?
Creating lasting, positive impact demands vision, hard work, and smart, dedicated people. At SCU, your student will find people who want to make the world a better place. By combining experiential learning and a nationally recognized teacher-scholar model, Santa Clara's whole-person education helps tomorrow's leaders find not just their vision but also their voice and values.
Here’s a look at what SCU provides to support your student’s success and help them uncover their purpose in college. SCU offers a variety of resources your student can rely on throughout their educational journey.
