GHS students face college deadlines

GUSTINE –Fall is a stressful and overwhelming time for high school seniors trying to decide what they will do following graduation in the spring. Many have been busy completing applications for CSU and UC schools, with the Nov. 30 deadline fast approaching. And then there is the question of how to pay for tuition. Mary Lee Hellner, director of student services at Gustine High School offered this advice, “Focus on one thing at a time. You have a timeline –break it up into easy chunks and follow it.”
First are the CSU and UC deadlines, then the EOP applications, private school applications, FAFSA, Cal Grant and scholarship applications, community college, vocational and technical school applications. Each has their own deadline but are manageable with good organization.
“Apply to the colleges and we’ll work on the financial aid packages later,” she advised. The college and career office on campus is open and ready to help students and parents through the process.
Hellner stressed the importance of completing CSU and UC applications prior to the Thanksgiving break. “You don’t want to be working on it at the last minute,” she noted. Help is available for the online application which can be completely filled out at school by students who bring in the needed personal information.
AVID students at the high school have been preparing their applications for a while now. Most have completed the CSU applications but are still working on their UC submissions. When asked how they are feeling recently, the group responded without hesitation, “Stressed and nervous,” yet they were smiling. They shared they are concerned about the fast approaching deadlines, financing tuition and getting accepted.
In addition, they know they need to keep up their grades and manage their extra curricular and work schedules. “Everything begins to pile up,” shared Lizet Hernandez. She applied to CSU Stanislaus and Fresno State and currently is working on her UC application. Brenda Ortiz and Lupita Ayon are also in that situation, the three students are currently drafting the two essays that are required.
They say it is an exciting time, filled with the hopeful promise of attending the school they choose but also one filled with lots of questions and uncertainty. What to study, am I ready to leave home, how will I pay for school, what will it be like? Lots of questions, lots of anxiety but loads of enthusiasm for the possibilities as well. Afterall, they have been preparing for this all of their high school careers and are anxious to see their goals become reality.
Ortiz is the oldest in her family and the first generation to attend college so she feels the additional pressure of setting a path for her siblings and making her family proud. She said they are very supportive of her and are helping her achieve her goals. The pressure is both a burden and a motivation. “Mostly motivating,” she expressed with pride.
“Students are better prepared now for going onto college,” Hellner shared. She has tracked an increase in GHS students graduating with the intent of attending four-year, two year and vocational/technical schools over the last few years. “My dream is to one day walk into the senior class and hear every student announce where they are going to school after graduation,” she expressed. “Every one has to have a plan, a goal of what they will be doing the morning after graduation,” she said. The career and college office is open for students to get the help and guidance needed to form that plan.
Scholarship information is updated every day by career technician Melissa Estacio. Students are encouraged to come into the office and check what is available at any time throughout the year.
Written by westsideconnect