For a lot of high school seniors, applying to college is one of the most stressful and emotional challenges they face. Between essays, deadlines, and maintaining grades, the process can feel like a full time job.
Brittany Fuerte and Alecksa Clomai Llarenas, both seniors at Channel Islands, recently opened up about their experiences with college applications and what it was like getting accepted into some of the best universities in the country.
Fuerte admitted that the application process was difficult.
“The essays were honestly exhausting, trying to make sure you fit your whole self into a word limit,” she shared. She often found herself staying up late, trying to craft the perfect responses while still balancing her responsibilities.
On top of her academics, Fuerte also volunteered at an elementary school and held a part-time job, making her schedule even more intense. “It felt neverending,” she said. “But once I submitted everything, it was like a wave of relief hit me. I could finally breathe.”
In the end, all the stress paid off. Fuerte was ecstatic when she got accepted into UC Santa Barbara, her dream school. However, after weighing her options, she’s certain that she’s going to commit to CSU Channel Islands, where she was offered a full ride to major in business and economics.
“I still don’t believe it,” she said, adding that she often looks back at her acceptance letter for reassurance and motivation.
For Llarenas, the news was nothing short of surreal. She was accepted into several prestigious universities, including UC Berkeley, Yale, and The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
“My 8th grade self would have never thought that a girl without a passion project or any of those activities that TikTok says students should do could get into an Ivy League school,” she shared.
Llarenas’ experience was just as hectic, “I started my apps kinda late in October,” she admitted, which only added to the pressure.
Despite the late start, she managed to complete everything on time while juggling a rigorous academic load that included Honor and AP classes, Academic Decathlon, and Mock Trial.
“It wasn’t easy,” she said. “But I’m really proud of being able to balance everything. It showed me that I could handle more than I thought I could.”
Llarenas has officially committed to the University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to attend The Wharton School of Business and major in economics with an emphasis on accounting and finance.
Both students credit their families for their constant support. “My family was so proud,” said Llarenas. Fuerte echoed the same sentiment, saying her family encouraged her through every step of the journey.
