Clara

Santa Clara University

Class of 2024

WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION? DID YOU ACCOMPLISH THEM?

My goals for college admission were to look through many potential school options and to further narrow my search. I identified what aspects of my high school career I wanted to continue to participate in and which ones I wanted to let go of. I think I accomplished this as I looked at a wide range of schools and found one that fit every aspect of what I wanted in a school community.

WHAT WAS MOST HELPFUL ABOUT WORKING WITH HUGHES COLLEGE PREP?

The most helpful part about working with Hughes College Prep would definitely be the consistent weekly assignments. Each week, Lisa and I would make a list of things to accomplish for the week. These lists consisted of SAT prep, college research, and even to set time aside to relax (or for me, sleep).

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST SURPRISE, GOOD OR BAD, ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS IN GENERAL?

I was surprised about how important following my tutor’s instructions were. We started my CommonApp and other applications in August. Each week I would fill out a few questions on all my applications, not knowing each little step would add up to create the application as a whole. By following her instructions I never became stressed or confused about the application process or meeting the early action deadline.

WERE YOU ACCEPTED TO ONE OF YOUR TOP THREE SCHOOL CHOICES?

Yes, I was accepted to one of my top three school choices. Although I wasn’t accepted into my top school, I’m happy with my decision to attend somewhere else instead. I realized my top choice was farther out of my range, which would prohibit me from actually having a fulfilling college experience!

DID YOU FEEL SUPPORTED BY HUGHES COLLEGE PREP DURING THE ADMISSION PROCESS? IF SO, HOW?

I not only felt supported, but I felt accomplished, too. Each time I hit an application milestone — finishing my first application, getting accepted to my first college, and finally finishing every application — my tutor sent me encouraging texts telling me all my hard work had paid off. Which contradicted my mindset at the beginning of high school, when I thought no college would ever accept me. Through the Hughes program, I learned colleges will look at the student as a whole, what kind of person they are, their activities, using their letters of recommendation to strengthen their application, not just test scores.

WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH HUGHES COLLEGE PREP?

I was most surprised by the advice my tutor gave me. Not just about applying to college, but my life as a whole. She taught me how to use a planner, manage my sleep schedule, and use a semicolon! I was most definitely surprised about the relationship I made with my tutor. She supported me through everything, the stress and all, and that’s what I think is so different about Hughes College Prep. It’s not just about them helping the students get higher test scores, it’s about figuring out what kind of person they want to be, and what kind of future they’re looking towards.

ARE THERE ANY ASPECTS OF YOUR TIME WITH HUGHES THAT STICK OUT AS HAVING CARRIED THROUGH TO OTHER ELEMENTS OF YOUR LIFE, BEYOND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, SUCH AS COLLEGE, JOBS, ETC.? 

During my time with Hughes, I was assisted in writing my college essay. Together, my tutor and I picked the topic of dance because it was the most prominent thing in my life at that time. I honestly learned more about my life through writing that essay and Lisa’s edits and questions that specified how I really view myself. I think that attitude has carried over to my dance and school career, as I learned standing out is the only way of finding success, which I think is important in all aspects of life.

WHAT IS ONE BIT OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO PARENTS OF COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS? 

I would tell parents to support their kids no matter what their path is. From a young age my parents pushed me to look at schools outside of Montana, to look in different places to realize what I actually want to do with my life. I always knew I wanted to go to college and far away (which I did). But even if I didn’t want to go to a traditional college, I know my parents would have supported me in that decision too. By going to Hughes meetings, I realized what higher education really means and the importance of it. And I think putting your child in an environment that shows different options in schooling, or trade schools, or even alternatives will be to their benefit.

WHAT IS ONE BIT OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES?

I would say to not set unrealistic goals for yourself. It’s hard competing with siblings and other students to get into what society deems a “good college.” I’ve come to learn it’s more about what is best for YOU. For me, a smaller school environment, with a middle range acceptance rate fit perfectly because I could decide to take specific harder classes. I’m not saying to not set goals and accomplish them, I’m saying whatever dream you have, make sure your hard work will pay off in some regard! And trust me, it will.