There is a century-old rumor that the hardest year of high school is junior year, but I think any senior navigating the college application process would disagree. Seniors face the demeaning task of having to write their personal essays, reach out for recommendation letters, finalize their college list, keep their class grades up, and file for financial aid all while on a strict deadline.
While senior year is hard, it’s no secret having a close connection with those who have previously navigated the college applications makes it easier, while students who don’t have that extra support come at a disadvantage. Many students at JDHS struggle to approach the topic of “life after high school,” as a majority of the seniors are the first generation who likely are the first in their family to apply to college or seek out a traditional career path.
Being met with numerous deadlines for financial aid and college applications first-generation students are trapped to journey this process independently, seniors at JDHS face the challenging task of attempting to approach their college aids in a class pool of 400 seniors, with only two college aids the ratio plays against any student seeking extra assistance.
Though there are third-party resources presented to seniors such as college tours, virtual info sessions, etc seniors often aren’t aware of these programs, eventually leaving them feeling trapped in managing a pile of deadlines on their own.
Jorge Rodriguez, a senior at senior JDHS stated “Navigating the college applications has honestly been complicated, especially since they [teachers, college aids] don’t really help explain what you need to do”. Jorge further explained that despite being a first-generation student he hasn’t felt restricted to what he can achieve. “Being first-generation has not limited me, in fact, it’s really encouraged me to explore further options, especially since my parents have been really supportive.”
Rose Karmakar, a senior at JDHS expressed similar feelings as Jorge toward navigating the college applications as a first-gen student, stating “The college apps have been stressful at times I don’t know how to approach the topic as my mother is undocumented and my father is financially disadvantaged, so Im unsure how to fill out school-specific questions.”
Rose feels as though her parents haven’t truly been a supportive factor during the college apps, though teacher aids such as Mr.Personatte have truly motivated her to continue the process. Rose states “Teachers have been really helpful, though Percy [Mr. Personette] is honestly a pain, he’s really helped me understand everything I need to do, we love you, Percy”.
When asked about how hes been a resources towards the students at Dewey during the college application process, Mr.Inoa the journalism teacher states “[I like] Being a source of consultation, either formally or informally. Either that is just a quick conversation about college essays or discussing recommendation letters.” Mr.Inoa expresses that he wants to be an extending hand to his students, to not only be their journalism teacher but someone they can rely on to answer any college question.
Mr. Inoa stated “I think students [first gen] are more resourceful, they’ve already gotten so far in their education and in their lives without having that extra support [compared to other students]. Beating many odds, as their stacked against them. I think by the time they go to college they are resourceful despite not having all the answers”. Mr. Inoa brings an interesting perspective to the conversation about how first gen students operate in an academic setting.
