You’re a high school senior, and September has arrived. 

Along with a new chill in the air comes the promise of a full schedule and, perhaps, college applications. Maybe you plan to take a gap year, go to trade school, or stay at home for a while. 

Regardless of where you are in your decision, it’s likely that you’ve been asked too many times: Where will you go after high school?

I’m sure that most people around you are thinking about it, as they were when I was in your position. Forgive my speculation, but you probably are, too. 

Whether the college of your dreams is close to home, in another state, or still unknown, we’re all eager to find our place once we eventually get there. The process leading up to that point – the writing, the waiting, the uncertainty of it all – can be quite intimidating. 

How should one navigate this? How to balance classes, extracurriculars, and future plans all without letting doubt and comparison worm their ways in?

Sudden change can be terrifying

Truthfully, I was terrified by the prospect of this sudden change. 

If you had told me 10 months ago as I dredged through college applications that I’d end up at a school that barely made the top of my list, I’d probably ignore you. At this stage, there was no room for imperfection; not one single omitted comma in my essays or understatement in my “Activities & Awards” section. 

My peers were applying to some of the most competitive schools, thus I was meant to follow suit. 

And with all this added pressure – mostly self-inflicted – came late nights of application-cramming, as I attempted to carve a believable leadership role out of a club I might have attended a few times. This was, obviously, the defining moment of my life, so why would I expect anything less?

Well, I’ve learned in recent months that this simply isn’t the case. 

Yes, college ends up being the best option for many, and often promises better job stability and salary opportunities, among other benefits.

But these future benefits aren’t limited to the top one, two, or even 20 colleges in the country. And they certainly aren’t worth your mental health. 

One of the many things I’ve learned in the mere week that I’ve been attending school is that I would have found my place among new peers at whichever college I picked; there are fascinating, curious, lovely people to be found at any school, and I’m fortunate enough to have found some here.

You may come to learn that no application is perfect and no acceptance is guaranteed.

However, I warn you that dreading the application process due to self-doubt may only hinder your ability to choose the right place for you. 

Closed doors open new possibilities 

When several rejections closed the doors of my top choices, the options I was left with opened my mind to new possibilities. 

I ended up picking the place that made it clear I was wanted there – and there is no better feeling. If you’re a rising college applicant, take it from me: the school you attend will likely be the right school for you. 

Then, once you get there, the number of APs you took, the hours you spent studying, and the scores you received (these are admirable capabilities, of which you should be proud!) will no longer matter. 

Please, allow yourself to have some fun during your final year of high school.

Work hard, do your best, learn from your mistakes?

Always. 

But compare yourself, belittle your effort, limit your educational scope?

Absolutely not.

Ella Selnick is a 2025 Patrick Henry High School graduate. She is attending Lafayette College.