It’s that time of year again — yes, college application season! Don’t panic; you’re going to be just fine. I’ll be honest, I was panicking about this moment for a long time too, and I realized most high schoolers feel the same way, especially as senior year approaches. So why not talk about it?

To give you real, well-rounded perspectives, plus a little sarcasm and some personal stories, I brought in three Sachem North High School Class of 2025 graduates who will be attending Harvard, Princeton, and UNC Chapel Hill this fall. In this episode, we break down their experiences from the start of senior year all the way to Decision Day. We discuss their expectations, how they approached the Common App and supplemental essays, the personal statement, going test-optional, and even their plans for the future at these amazing institutions.

Our goal is to relieve some of the stress you might be feeling and remind you to be proud and supportive of yourself during these next few months. You’ve already made it so far, and the best thing you can be in these applications is yourself, something I’m keeping in mind as I go through this chapter too.

Key takeaway: Trust yourself — everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.

Podcast: Let’s Take Five — Instagram: @letstake_five

Host: Naraly Ceballos Laguna — Instagram: @naraly_0108, @nar_lifts

Guests:

• Hannah Creuter — Instagram: @hannah.bee22, @hannah.thehippie
• Alain Alarcon — Instagram: @alainxalarcon
• Lydian Hicyilmaz — Instagram: @lydiah1c