PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MARGARET TINKER

Seniors, it’s that time of the year. The time you start figuring out which colleges are worth the $55 plus application fee and which are not. The time it really hits you that this is your last year of high school.

On Oct. 1 applications open for all California State University campuses, followed by the University of California schools Nov. 1. The whole process will be complete by the beginning of January, including applications for out-of-state colleges. For seniors this means transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation and application fees.

“My first choice is UC Davis and my backup is UNR. I have done some research on the schools and outlined some stuff for the personal statements,” CJ Calabrese said.

Of course not all seniors will partake in the application process, some opting to go the community college route. “I feel it’s a better option for many reasons. Mainly, it saves money and gives me a chance to look further into my career choices before I make anything official,” Amber Monioz said.

Then there is always the out of state option. “I want to go to Ohio State. I need to apply soon but I’ve been lazy because of water polo. My backup is Sierra (College),” Kourtnee Hogue said.

With all of this to think about and normal school work, students are bound to be stressed. “I am a little stressed about it now, but in a few weeks I probably will be extremely stressed,” Calabrese said.

Amidst all the chaos, there is help for students looking to narrow down their choices. To prepare themselves with college information and specific school details, students have resources like the college and career center, college representatives visiting on campus and the upcoming college fair at Rocklin High on Oct. 14.

By MARGARET TINKER