Opinion: College Admissions

With an increasing number of college graduates ending up jobless, CVHS seniors feel a decrease in the stability of their future careers.

The college application process has grown into an environment of rivalry and animosity amongst high school seniors all over the world. Acceptance into prestigious universities is no longer an achievement of bringing aspiring students closer to success, but a title of high status to fuel the belief in one’s own competence and expertise. Students become attached to the praise of acceptance, rather than focusing on the sole reason for attaining the degree in the first place: to get a job. 

With increasing uncertainty amongst students, those who aspire to earn a four-year degree in hopes of supporting their careers find themselves trapped in a cycle of overachievement to the point of exhaustion. The scrutiny of peers, family, and society only adds to this pressure. Even so, those who receive their degree continue to face the challenges of unemployment due to an increase in labor market freezes, technological improvements, economic fluctuations, etc. The entire admissions process has become something solely based on performance: a spectacle. Thus, in recent years, many have begun to ask one question: Are college admissions worth the stress and anxiety?

In the past, it was no difficult task for one to earn a degree and begin their career immediately after graduation. In recent years, however, finding a job after college has become a grueling process, resulting in the unemployment of many graduates. The competition of attending a reputable university has overtaken students’ mental health in hopes that the outcome would be worth the struggle if it grants a higher chance of employment. Yet, many seniors continue to fixate on society’s praise of their acceptance, rather than on how it will impact their future careers. Now, many are left to question whether or not the prestige of their university, let alone a college degree, guarantees their stability at all.

“I feel like the process was a bit difficult because of all the pressure put on me to get into a good school and get a good job. I’m starting to feel less certain about my future, though, because I know that even people with a degree aren’t getting jobs,” said senior Miley Giang.

It is becoming more apparent to CVHS students that not even a degree can guarantee stable careers as they have in the past. Senior Miguel Cardona expresses his concerns over this growing issue.

“I think it’s much easier for our parents to say that going to college is the blueprint for making money in life and succeeding in a career, but they had it much easier than us. For me personally, I feel like the college application process was more stressful than it needed to be, and the specific university I chose would most likely not affect my career at all,” said Cardona.

Although high school students all over the world continue to prioritize college applications over mental health, the question of whether or not this process is even worth the stress has been gaining momentum amongst today’s generation.