Kennedy
Northern Arizona University Honors College
Class of 2025
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION? DID YOU ACCOMPLISH THEM?
I really wanted to get out of Missoula. My biggest goal was to have options and not be stuck going to a school I didn’t feel was right for me. I have definitely accomplished those goals as I was admitted to almost all of the schools I applied to.
WHAT WAS MOST HELPFUL ABOUT WORKING WITH HUGHES COLLEGE PREP?
The guidance from people who really know what they’re doing. It was so beneficial to get insight on my options, the steps to get to my goals, and even ideas on what will set me up for success in the future.
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST SURPRISE, GOOD OR BAD, ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS IN GENERAL?
How much work I needed to put in. From constant SAT and ACT preparation to countless college admission essays, I was very busy for a long time. I was also surprised by how much I did not know about this whole process in general. Who knew that you should research a school before applying to it or that schools don’t just look at your grades or test scores. After my first meeting with Lisa, I was in shock over all the things I was completely clueless over.
WERE YOU ACCEPTED TO ONE OF YOUR TOP THREE SCHOOL CHOICES?
I was accepted into two out of my three top schools.
DID YOU FEEL SUPPORTED BY HUGHES COLLEGE PREP DURING THE ADMISSION PROCESS? IF SO, HOW?
Most certainly! Not only did I have my main tutor, Lisa, I also would have multiple other people join in to review and critique my essays. It was wonderful working with so many people who really care about my success.
WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH HUGHES COLLEGE PREP?
Similar to the last question, it was a collaborative effort. I was never fully on my own or even with one singular tutor. I had many different people putting in time of their own to make sure I was on the right track.
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.?
The importance of volunteer work that Lisa stressed to me was not fully understood at the time, but it carried over to college admissions as well as my interest in helping out my community. I have volunteered at The American Red Cross for about a year now and I have put in over 50 hours of volunteer work as a Blood Donor Ambassador.
WHAT IS ONE BIT OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO PARENTS OF COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS?
As much as you might want to get involved in this process, I believe that it is important to let your child do this work on their own. There will be plenty of times where you are needed, but there are also many times when you will need to let your child figure some things out on their own.
WHAT IS ONE BIT OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES?
As long and as stressful the college prep process is, it pays off! Make sure not to be too hard on yourself. It is very easy to get caught up on having the perfect grades, test scores, or resume, but allowing yourself some breathing time or an off day is a necessity.