Taylor Van Dijk | Editor-in-Chief
February 11, 2025
Applying for college is a whirlwind of emotions — from the uncertainty of where you will end up for the next four years, to slogging through the last four months of high school, to coping with leaving your beloved friends and family. The good news is that every senior is going through the same emotions as you. The bad news is that your experience is completely unique to you at the same time. The senior class of 2025 is right in the middle of the most uncertain time, awaiting the majority of college decisions, which is why we have put together a collection of experiences and advice to help ease your mind.
Leaving your hometown
For most, they have lived in one place their whole lives. Now, they have to go somewhere else entirely without their support systems, which can be scary.
“In my experience, going to college has always been more than moving out and experiencing something new. No one in my family has gone to college, so my attendance represents breaking a generational cycle and building a future for myself. I have been moving for my entire life, but I have always had my family there to support me. I am worried that I will just feel lost and not have anything to ground me. That being said, moving so many times has taught me to adapt and I think everything will work out” -C (Senior)
“My family has not been dealing well with me leaving for college. I am the oldest child with two younger siblings, so I guess they just have no idea what they are going to do. My mom has been on edge about me going away and my dad has been avoiding the topic altogether. I do not want to leave my younger brother because I am scared he won’t remember me. He is only five, so I will be missing the most significant parts of his life, which is so upsetting. I want to go to Berkeley or out of state to Michigan, which makes it inevitable for me to be super far away from my family, so I have been spending this time trying to be close to my family, but it is hard when we are all silently dealing with these emotions.” -P (Senior)
Changes in Plans
Many people build up a dream version of their lives and where they want to go, but sometimes this reality does not always happen. These seniors have already deviated from the path they set for themselves and have experiences and advice to share about what they have done instead.
“I want to do musical theater in college. With all the auditions and interviews I have done, a lot of alumni and teachers have told me that I will end up where I belong and to believe in the process. They told me that this is not the ‘end all be all’ for your life and you can always change what you want to do and where you want to go. I think that the advice I have received will make more sense in hindsight, but at the moment, everything feels so heightened and stressful. I have been nervous and excited because moving on is one of those things that is a lot of pressure, but also challenges you as an individual. It’s scary to make decisions because performing is one of the only things that I can do with my degree, so choosing this path and where to go for it is never a sure thing. I want to go to Marymount Manhattan College because of the program, but I am open-minded to other places. Options are key and following my passions has been what has carried me through.” -T (Senior)
“If I had one piece of advice to give, it would be to apply out of state, or at least to schools you might not have considered before. Obviously, there are financial considerations, but if that is something you are even remotely considering, definitely apply. You would be surprised how many out-of-state schools offer substantial merit. I was admitted to the University of North Carolina at Chappell Hill with a merit scholarship, which would make it cheaper for me to attend than an in-state UC. A lot of people have the misconception that out-of-state is unachievable, but apply anyway, you never know what you are going to be offered. There are still a lot of uncertainties for me, but having the option to choose has made the prospect of leaving for college more exciting than anything. San Clemente is an amazing place to call home, but when else in my life will I have the chance to live somewhere completely different and experience something so far outside my scope of reality? Knowing that I plan on moving out of state has increased my appreciation for my beautiful coastal hometown, for I know it will be here when I return. In the meantime, I will cherish the memories I have made whilst creating new ones at my new home, wherever that may be.” -G (Senior)
“Above everything else, think about your major. I am going to college for journalism, and I did not even consider the school having my major when I was applying. I was set on attending UCLA or Berkeley, but neither school has a set journalism program, which I wish I had known when choosing my college list. I was set on the UCs because of cost and prestige, but now I feel as though they might not match what I want as a student. If I were doing this again, I would recommend you to take this time to think about who you are and what you want as an individual, do not follow the masses, your parents, your friends, or what you think is the easiest. I am leaning toward attending the University of Oregon because I applied for a scholarship that I never thought I would get. Once I visited the school for the interview, I fell in love with it. You truly cannot predict where you are going to end up, so please keep your mind and options open.” -T (Senior)
Relationships
One of the realities about leaving for college is preparing to be away from those you love, and that is not always easy to do. Balancing excitement and sadness can be difficult, but so many people share your experience and are here to help.
“Senior year has been one of the best experiences I have had. Everything has fallen into place with my relationship, but I don’t see a clear path for college that allows me to move on and experience life as an individual while also preserving relationships that have made me so happy. I feel like I am at a crossroads not knowing whether to close off relationships now or trying to stay in them as long as possible.” -M (Senior)
“Being in a long-distance relationship my senior year, I have experienced the blessings and curses. But, what I’ve taken away from this is that if the person is worth it and you see a future with them, why would distance change something so beautiful? Love is bigger than any amount of miles. Just don’t let it consume you and trust your gut.” -E (Senior)
“I don’t want to leave but I have dreamed about going out of state for college for as long as I can remember. I think that my boyfriend and I have both agreed that we have to leave here because our relationship comes second to our dreams, yet I am not treating my relationship any differently because I believe that life will fall into place as it should. If we meet again, then it is meant to me, but for now, I choose to live in the moment.” -S (Senior)
Alumni Advice
Always remember, your life will continue after you graduate high school, no matter where you go. Alumni of San Clemente High School have been through it as well, and they have some advice for you!
“No amount of advice can truly prepare you for the college admissions process. The most important thing is to think about what you want out of your college experience. As the oldest sibling in my family, I had no clue what the last months of senior year and beyond would hold for me. However, while it’s cliche, I knew that everything would work out exactly as it was meant to. When I opened my acceptance letter from UC Santa Barbara, I had a strong feeling that it would be my future school. Following that gut feeling, I committed and applied for housing two days later. Now, halfway through my second quarter of sophomore year, I can’t imagine having made a different decision. My life is full of vibrant sunsets over the ocean, studying at the beach, tanning on the deck of my sorority house, and exciting nights out with my best friends. It’s easy to lose yourself in the idea that the best college for you is the one that makes you look the best – that all of your hard work in high school has to be reflected in your future school. If your ultimate goal is to be happy where you end up, know that no matter where you go, your college experience will be what you make it. Picture a day in your life at any school you consider, and choose the one that feels the most exciting and authentic to you. Your reputation in high school becomes irrelevant almost immediately after graduation. Focus on a place where you can see yourself building a future, not one that you think will glorify your past.” -S (College Sophomore)
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