College Acceptances

The time is getting closer! College application deadlines are approaching. Seniors at Jamesville-DeWitt High School are shrinking their top college list to find out where they want to further their education.

The application process is “long and stressful” says seniors Sonia Narsipur and Megan Whitbeck. Senior Ben Shapiro believes the colleges have too much power in the application process because of application and confirmation fees, etc. Shapiro has applied to 14 colleges; Kenyon College in Ohio, McAllister College in Minnesota, and in New York: Hamilton College, University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Hobart, SUNY Geneseo, and SUNY Binghamton, just to name a few. Some of the reasons that the process is stressful is because, according to senior Jason Nordheim, it is "labourious," or as Rob Fix says, "time consuming." Also, some, like Megan Whitbeck feel like "school interfered." However you can hand the stress by being "Disciplined" says Fix. Senior Veronica Wheelock says “it is overwhelming only if you are not aware of the deadlines.”

Although many seniors at J-DHS have not heard from the institutions they’ve applied to, some have been accepted. Senior Amanda Pauls has been accepted to SUNY Potsdam. “I was lost for words. I cried, but they were tears of joy,” says Pauls. Senior Nicole Wagner has been accepted to Siena College. “I like the school overall,” says Wagner. Senior Maria Skandalis has been accepted to Ferris State University. “It made me feel accomplished,” says Skandalis. Senior Megan Whitbeck has been accepted to Nazareth College. Whitbeck says she chose to go to Nazareth College because “it’s small” so it gives her a better opportunity to get to know her professors. Senior Noel Williams has been accepted to LeMoyne College with an $11,000 per year scholarship. Senior Jake Rowe is another scholarship winner. Rowe received a $4,500 per year scholarship to attend Johnson & Wales University. Senior Abbey Smith has been accepted to the Rochester Institute of Technology, which made her “feel amazing.” Senior Jim Quartier describes being accepted to SUNY Fredonia as “the best moment ever.” Senior Stephanie Hyla and Rachel Heyman have both been accepted to Syracuse University.

Some seniors have chosen to take the two year route. Senior Jasmine Huntley has applied to three community colleges and has been accepted to all three. Huntley’s top choice is Monroe Community College. After her two years are up, she plans to transfer to SUNY Brockport. Senior Jonathan Rovtar plans to stay local to attend Onondaga Community College, then transfer to Upstate Medical. Senior Mikayla Fendt is attending OCC along with Jonathan Rovtar. Senior Lateja Bryant plans to go to Monroe Community College. After her two years are done, Bryant wants to transfer to SUNY Oswego.

Sports play a big role in college decisions for some seniors here at J-DHS. Senior Casey Williams, part of the four-time state championship basketball team, has verbally committed to Potsdam to pursue his basketball dreams, becasue he says “the players made me feel welcome.” Senior Amani Jackson is interested in Hobart because he likes the campus. Also, Hobart is recruiting Jackson for football. Senior Mary Young wants to continue playing softball in college. St. John Fisher College is Young’s top choice because “they have an amazing softball program,” says Young. Senior McLaren Brady has verbally committed to SUNY Cortland to play lacrosse.