Elizabeth Cavallari, Director of College Counseling

 

HRA senior during the 2026 Senior Parade

The college-bound seniors of the Class of 2026 share their words of wisdom for younger students

Before Senior Release, Chris Hailey, Associate Director of College Counseling, and I met individually with each member of the senior class. We wanted to hear their reflections on their experience with college counseling and talk through each student’s application process. We asked about their excitement and nervousness surrounding graduation and college. We walked through their decision-making process, asked for feedback on our office, and reminded them that we will always be part of their support system.

As I reviewed my notes from those meetings, two questions stood out: “Is there anything you wish you had known earlier in the process?” and “What advice would you give younger students?”

While every student’s experience was different, several themes came up again and again.

The most common advice? Start earlier and don’t procrastinate. Multiple students emphasized this point:

  • “Do things earlier.”
  • “Don’t procrastinate!”
  • “Don’t wait until the last minute.”
  • “Work on it over the summer.”
  • “It feels good not to leave everything until the last minute.”

Students also talked about staying engaged and organized throughout the process:

  • “Do it when you get the email.”
  • “Read the emails.”
  • “Take it seriously. It sneaks up on you.”

Another major theme was managing stress and perspective:

  • “Chill out.”
  • “Don’t stress. It can feel overwhelming. Focus on the positives.”
  • “The task seems harder than it actually is.”

And perhaps most importantly, seniors encouraged younger students to focus less on prestige and more on fit:

  • “Prestige is relative. Choose what’s best for you.”
  • “Pick the place where YOU are going to be successful.”
  • “Be open to suggestions.”

I think anyone can read this list and find something that resonates. But as I think about our juniors, our soon-to-be seniors, I hope they, and their families, read it even more closely.

And then remember that the College Counseling Office is here to help.

We expect every rising senior to meet with us at least twice over the summer to continue the momentum we built during the school year. We do not want students to procrastinate. We want them to work steadily over the summer so they can begin senior year feeling confident, prepared, and ahead of the process.

And we will meet students where they are, whether at HRA, in a coffee shop, or on Zoom. We will partner with them throughout the summer as they complete essays, finalize activities lists, and refine college lists.

It is an exciting season! Our goal is not simply to help students get into college, but to help them find the place where they will thrive.