For Seniors at TCS, the time for college applications has arrived earlier than expected. Applying to college means balancing deadlines, long personal essays, standardized tests, different financial decisions, and uncertainty of what the future has in store for them. At TCS, our school counselor Lina Gonzalez helps senior students navigate through these various challenges while researching which academic paths fit the goals each student has in mind. Through personal counseling and constant advice on the whole process, her work constantly shapes where students apply, but also how they choose their career to meet their own future goals.

Before seniors can decide where to apply, they first must explore and address the demands that make this whole process challenging. “The biggest challenge is writing, because it takes time and sometimes they start late. The other challenge is the testing for students who are going to the US, because you need to be prepared for a good score, and some of them just take the SAT once, or they don’t prepare for it at all. Additionally,  the financial side is also complicated. So, if you are thinking about applying to the US, make sure you choose universities that have financial aid or scholarships, because the United States is one of the most expensive countries to study in,” Gonzalez said.

These challenges, while many, are not only logistical. They can also affect seniors who still are trying to understand what they want in their future lives. “Yes, I felt rushed and overwhelmed. The application process started to feel like a second job, with so many things to do and so little time. It felt like time was passing through my fingers, and I was trying to keep up with everything while still figuring out what I actually wanted for my future,” said senior student Amalia Vargas.

Similarly, for students thinking about applying to universities abroad, preparation also means learning new ways to communicate their strengths and skills to admissions officers around the globe through a curriculum vitae. “I already knew some basics about applying to universities in the United States, but I didn’t fully understand how to present myself as an applicant. Lina helped me see that my CV wasn’t just a list of activities; it needed to show my interests, experiences, and what I could contribute,” said senior student Sofía Montes.

But beyond helping students prepare their applications, Lina also works with seniors to try and help them understand their interests and identify the career paths that best fit their own goals and interests. “We use Maia learning tests; these are very good for students to know themselves better because we have personality tests and also intelligence tests so we can match their career (what they want) with what they are, and it helps the student a lot to choose the career,” she commented.

For Vargas, thanks to help from Lina, her process went from uncertainty to a broad understanding of the amount of opportunities she has available around the world. “Meeting with Lina helped me see how many different possibilities and opportunities were out there. Before, I had a much more limited idea of what I could do, but our meetings helped me explore options I hadn’t seriously considered before. I started to see a future that genuinely excited me, and for the first time, I felt like I had a real dream I wanted to work toward,” Vargas said.

But apart from choosing a career path, the role of Lina has helped students in many ways. While Vargas focused on her academic direction, other students like Sofia Montes focused more directly on strengthening the way she presented herself to colleges. “One of the most helpful things Lina taught me was how to make my CV more meaningful and organized. She helped me think about which experiences and activities to highlight and how to present them clearly. I had information to include, but I didn’t always know how to make it stand out,” Montes explained.

Either way, senior students aren’t the only ones affected by the role and guidance of a school counselor. As Lina herself is also impacted by her work, as she sees students’ ambitions as a key part of her role as counselor. “I feel the impact is also for me because I like to experience the efforts of students, the expectations and ambitions of students, and I just want to help them achieve all of those goals. I really admire those students who challenge themselves to apply to the top colleges in the world,” she explained.

At the same time, Lina’s work doesn’t only have academic impacts; it can also have personal impacts on students. Vargas’ example clearly portrays how that kind of support can influence not only applications but also senior students’ confidence in obtaining the goals and future they once thought was out of the picture. “Honestly, I think I would still feel lost, and I probably wouldn’t have started applying yet. Without Lina’s guidance, I might have settled for something much smaller than what I actually want, simply because I didn’t know what other opportunities were available to me. She helped me see that my dream was possible and gave me the guidance I needed to start working toward it. Without her, I don’t think I would have the same confidence or clarity about my future,” Vargas added.

For Montes, the process also has reinstated the importance of preparation and asking for help in difficult situations.  “My biggest takeaway is that starting early and asking for help can make a huge difference. Lina has shown me that applying to college isn’t just about having good grades; it’s also about understanding what makes you a strong candidate and communicating that through your application. Her advice has made the process feel more manageable,” she said.