According to senior Anna Moore, a large part of the senior class is confused by the amount of requirements and responsibilities that come along with applying for college.

“There’s just so much to worry about,” Moore said. “There’s the common app, (…) and then there are your letters of recommendation, which is a whole other process, and your essay, which needs to be solid and good and important.”

According to senior counselor Laura King, she will be holding college work sessions for seniors on Thursdays in C153 to work on applications and essays.

“On my Thursday sessions when (seniors) are filling out their applications, I am available when they need help, but ultimately they are at the computer completing the applications. I think it’s absolutely imperative that students do the work, not their counselor or their parents,” King said.

King said she is available to help seniors with many aspects of the application process, including helping get students affiliated with certain schools that come to visit Park.

“I send out information to students regarding our college admissions people when they come and visit our school (…) a week ahead of time so that they know which colleges want to come in and chat with them,” King said.

Senior Elijah Gray said he is taking advantage of the help King has offered to seniors to discuss requirements for specific colleges.

“I know our counselor Ms. King is helping out with a lot of college application stuff so I’m going to see her today to actually talk about applications,” Gray said.

King said she advises seniors to apply to a smaller number of schools in order to put in the time and effort to make a great application.

“I say put your energy into four or five applications and do them well,” King said. “Really identify the schools you want most and give them a great, great application.”

Moore said she is already taking steps to improve her chances of getting into her college of choice.

“I really want to go to Hamline, that’s my first (choice). I’m retaking my ACT to get a better score to get in,” Moore said.

When it comes to essays, King said a great go-to topic for college essays is any sort of obstacle a student has had to work around.

“What really needs to be covered is, how did you get around that issue? What survival strategies or coping skills did you put into place so that you could be resilient and move forward?” King said.

King said she advises against getting extensive help from counselors or parents.

“College admissions can sniff out an essay written by a parent in a second so it’s very important that any essay written is offered by the student,” King said.

King will be available after school on Thursdays in C153 in coming weeks to help seniors through the college application process.