From elementary school, middle school, and lastly high school the class of ‘24 start to finally prepare for their college applications and their last year of highschool. College specialist Ms. Michelle Chamberlin (FAC) helps guide the senior class towards submitting their applications for pre admission. Racing towards the deadline, Oct. 15, Chamberlin offers assistance to seniors by offering application help during lunch and after school sessions. 

   “Students need assistance with starting their common app, being able to provide them with a common app tip sheet so that they can follow all the directions. Then also providing the lunch opportunities to students to come in here, in the CRC, and get their questions answered as their actively completing their applications and also doing the after school help session, I’ve had great attendance at these sessions,” Chamberlin said.

   Chamberlin hosted a college tour that stopped at colleges all over Florida from Miami to Jaxsonville. Her passion is expressed through the many opportunities she provided through the school. On Oct. 3 a college fair was hosted in the gymnasium that included colleges from all over florida as well as schools from out of state like University of Alabama, Markella Ghoberial (‘24) attended with her friends as she was undecided on a college. 

   “The college fair really helped me. I’ve been stressing about college applications because I didn’t know where I wanted to go and also I didn’t know what each college provided. After the fair I was able to select a couple colleges that were the right fit for me. But now I just have to finish up my essay and complete my application,”  Ghoberial said.

   Stress of application deadlines fill the minds of seniors, Rudi Russell (‘24) expresses her feelings on application season and how its effecting her. 

   “ The application process is just really stressful because there is just a lot to do for every school, especially since I am applying for a lot of schools,” Russell said. 

   She also expresses that she hopes her work gets her into her dream school, University of Florida (UF).

   “I really love UF cause it’s where my sister goes, it’s a really nice campus, I love going there,” Russell said. 

   Through the process Chamberlin helps students like Russell and Ghobrial and shows passion in doing so. 

   “I really love working with the seniors on this process because I always see them start at one place and as we submit applications and get responses back. Dealing with the excitement of being admitted and knowing that they have those options and being able to celebrate that at the end,” Chamberlin said.

   Writing up their last words, seniors race toward their deadline and will start the next process of college acceptances and committing to the college that fits them best.. Upcoming dates to look for; scholarship opportunities opening in Dec. ‘23, grants and FAFSA opened on Oct.1, and early admissions dates end as early as Oct. 15.