Cassidy Fedor

Messenger Staff Writer

Each year the struggle of getting into a university or transferring becomes more and more crucial. The seniors of Placer speak up, giving some insight. For a few, the topic is worrisome. For others, life after high school is not a sweat. Either way, your future is important, and planning ahead is vital. Listen up freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. This includes you too.

Kiri Rao, a senior  valedictorian has her plans and future set in motion. With her hopes set on UC Santa Barbara or San Diego state, she says that the, “college applications and that  whole process is what’s most overwhelming.”

Kiri has a few tips, for all ages in high school, “Do your best from the very beginning, get good grades, try and participate in after school activities and extracurricular as much as possible.”

Amanda Geil, a senior of Placer who is also planning on heading straight to a university stated, “The pressure to get in isn’t overwhelming, but it’s certainly worrisome”, “There are other options if you don’t get in”.

Amanda’s method is to, “look at the requirements, graduate with the A-G  with good grades and scores”.

A few things she finds bothersome are when, “some universities won’t look at certain high schools, when there could be people full of potential” (Geil).

Mason Sage, a senior planning on going to Sierra College after high school then transferring to UNR (University of Nevada, Reno) said, “If you don’t know where to go after high school or don’t have a plan it can definitely be overwhelming”.

That seems to be the key. To have a plan. Graduating high school without a plan can definitely be scary.  You don’t know where to go, or what to do with your life.

Mrs.Chamberlin, a counselor at Placer, knows all about what the seniors go through,“For those that are on to a four year, they pretty much have been on track since freshman or sophomore year, so for them it’s not so much the applying, but the competition of getting in.”

“The cost is also a big problem, of course there is always scholarships and financial aid, but paying for that degree is a struggle” (Chamberlin).

The rates of students graduating from Placer and going straight to a four year is about 28-30 percent, and about 80 percent go to a community.  Continuing your education to the fullest extent will always be wise. Make sure that your on track from the very beginning, and try your hardest. After high school your future is no longer a dream of hopes, but the becoming of  a reality, and a life that you can make for yourself.