What college do you plan on attending, major, and future career goals?
Brianna: I was fortunate enough to be accepted into my dream school, Princeton University where I will be attending this fall. At Princeton, I plan to major in biochemistry in hopes of pursuing a career in medicine.
Elena: I am so thankful to have been accepted to Harvard University. I hope to pursue a career in the medical field, so I am looking to major in Chemical and Physical Biology.
What activities are you involved in both inside and outside of Central?
Brianna: At Central, I really enjoyed being on the tennis team for four years and participating in the Chemistry Olympics as a junior. I am also involved in multiple clubs at Central that align with my interests such as science and giving back to my community. Volunteering is very important to me, which I did a lot throughout high school. One of the most valuable experiences I’ve had is volunteering for the New Jersey Special Olympics.
Elena: Coming into Central, I was so excited to explore many of the extracurricular options. Over the years, I have been involved with several. In an effort to give back to my community, I have been involved with the school’s Red Cross club as well as Key Club. I am also currently the Co-President for the Women in STEM club to share my passion for science with others. Another science-related club that I am heavily involved with is the Chemistry Olympics / Olympiad club, which I have been a member of since freshman year. Additionally, music is one of my hobbies and I have been part of the school’s All Strings Attached musical group, performing for the community at nursing homes, holiday events, etc.
What advice do you have for underclassmen about academics, being involved, and the college admissions process?
Brianna: I can only speak about my path to Princeton University. At the beginning of my high school journey, I started researching the admissions criteria and process for Princeton. I knew early on that high academic achievement and extracurricular activities tailored to my interests were prerequisites to be considered for admission. Most importantly, I knew that I had to illustrate my character through my activities and allow it to shine through my application.
Both academics and being involved in activities throughout high school are equally important for success in college admissions, in my opinion. From an academics standpoint, it is important to challenge yourself with the classes you choose to take while also choosing classes that fit your interests. However, at least for Princeton, college admissions officers seem to favor students who are well-rounded in their academic achievements over students who only challenge themselves in subjects they excel in the most. The vast majority of classes I took throughout high school were honors and AP level classes, which shows admissions officers that you can handle college-level classes if you succeed in them.
In terms of extracurricular activities, it is important to show your true passions through what you decide to be involved in. If you choose to focus on just a few major activities that you are passionate about rather than trying to volunteer for as many different events as possible, you will likely have more valuable experiences to write about in your college essays. In other words, think ‘quality,’ not ‘quantity.’ Being involved in activities you really enjoy can also take away some of the stress and pressure of showing your involvement to admissions officers.
Finally, one of the most important parts of your college application is the essays, specifically the supplemental essays for each college. I had to write about seven supplemental essays just for Princeton. I definitely think admissions officers favored my application because all of my essay responses connected back to a similar theme. I thoroughly described my background and my most valuable experiences from my extracurricular activities to paint a picture of who I truly am. I also made sure to explain why Princeton would want me on campus and included the fact that I visited the campus multiple times to show my genuine interest.
Whether it’s for academic responsibilities or volunteer work, sometimes you will have to make sacrifices in order to achieve your goals in the end. However, as long as you always keep your goals in mind and never give up on achieving them, all the struggles will be worth it in the end.
Elena: It seems like the moment you step into high school, the questions about college and future careers begin to haunt you. It is so important to not worry too much. My biggest piece of advice would be to follow your heart and interests and see where they take you. This could be joining extracurricular clubs and figuring out what you really like and then committing to them fully. This could also be trying different classes and challenging yourself with Honors and/or AP level courses, which is something colleges like to see even if you don’t end up getting perfect grades in all your classes. The experiences you gain while discovering yourself are incredibly meaningful, not only for the planning of your future, but also for the making of very good college essays. High school is a great time to explore many fields, so keep your eyes open for volunteer, internships, or job opportunities and use your time wisely and efficiently to stay on top of your work. We have all procrastinated on something at some point in our lives, but time is our most valuable commodity and is really what sets great students apart from good students. Just keep working hard (without stressing) and everything will work out in the end. Make sure to enjoy every moment of high school!
What are you most excited for about college?
Brianna: College excites me in many ways. I am excited to meet new people, learn from esteemed faculty, gain more independence, have a greater variety of courses to take, to be part of a prestigious research institution, and continue my academic journey in a new environment.
Elena: There are so many reasons why I am excited for college. I will be surrounded by new people who share the same passion for learning, exploring the world, and pursuing their best selves. At college, the goal of pursuing my best self can be fulfilled with challenging yet fascinating courses taught by great professors, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities. Not only do all these activities interest me, but they are also preparing me for an even more exhilarating career afterwards. This makes me excited about college life.
What will you miss most about Central?
Brianna: Although I am excited to move onto my next chapter in life, I will definitely miss the friendships I have made at Central and all the teachers who have supported me throughout the years. It was so much fun going to see the student plays and musicals over the years with my friends, and I will never forget the teachers I had who truly made me enjoy learning.
Elena: Immersed in such a large school, I am always meeting new people and forming new and meaningful connections. Whether it is in class, at club meetings, or at school events, the new connections I make propel me to keep learning, from my peers, teachers, and friends. They make this place truly special, and they are what I will miss most about Central.
