The month of May is busy for high school seniors. It’s the start of AP testing and final grades. While those things aren’t very exciting, the beginning of May can also put many seniors at ease.
May 1st was Commit Day for many Colleges and Universities, so many seniors can take a breath now that the weight of uncertainty for the future is lifted from their shoulders. This past Friday, many seniors committed to their colleges
There are many attributes that can sway one’s decision about where they are going after high school. For many seniors it might be the financial aid one school offers while for others it may be a certain academic program that the university holds.
Senior Pascual Oliver is committed to California State Polytechnic University Pomona with a major in Construction Engineering and Management.
He committed to Cal Poly Pomona because of their Engineering Program and because it is a hands-on school.
“Their slogan is ‘Learn by doing’,” So I really think that I’ll fit in at Pomona, because I’m really much of a hands-on person” Oliver states.
Oliver explains how Cal Poly Pomona has the most ideal learning environment and opportunities for him. He also shares excitingly that Cal Poly Pomona was his first choice for college.
Another 2025 senior who also got into their school of choice was Camila Sánchez. She is committed to California State University of Los Angeles, with a major in Forensic Science.
“Their forensic program led me into picking them. I am interested in their program because it’s an official partner of the Innocence Program” Sanchez says.
While Oliver and Sánchez were both admitted into the first college of their choice, this sadly isn’t the case for everyone. Eric Martinez, another HPHS senior, can vouch for this.
Martinez is committed to California State University of Fullerton, with a major in Economics. His first choice was Long Beach but he got rejected.
Being unable to attend their first choice university is sadly the reality for many seniors. This could be for a number of reasons, such as: not enough financial aid or being denied admission.
This is one of the many scary experiences of applying for college as a senior, listing your “best” qualities on paper and being told it isn’t enough. But, like Martinez, many seniors push through the rejection and find the next best path for their future.
When asked what led Martinez to committing to Cal State Fullerton, he shares this school had the best financial aid offer for him. He shares that he was given enough financial aid that all expenses were paid.
Finally when asked about what they were most excited to experience in college each senior had a varying responses
“I will be dorming, for sure, for my first year. So it would be the experience of getting to know people and kind of connect with other people from my major and gaining connections.” Oliver shares.
Sánchez states, she is most excited for the classes and to experience the community at Cal State LA. Martinez explains that the Cal State Fullerton campus is close by to the Disneyland Amusement Parks.
“So I’m excited to like, meet new friends who go to Disney.” Martinez states.
Martinez also enthusiastically states he plans to visit Disneyland a lot next year. While each of them had very different responses, and other seniors might agree or disagree with them, one thing is for sure— Every single senior has a very bright and exciting future ahead of them.
Congratulations class of 2025, we did it.
Written By: Samantha Rivas, Staff Writer