High School Seniors Prepare for College: Resources, Support Available

Applying to college requires time and effort. Just ask the more than 2,500 Kern County high school seniors who have started, or will start soon, navigating the sometimes complex process. Thankfully, several resources are available to students and families.

“There’s so much more to consider than simply choosing your favorite institution,” said Kierstin Webb, director of College & Career Programs at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS). 

The process requires understanding varying admission requirements, preparing robust applications — which often include writing essays, getting letters of recommendation, and collecting transcripts and evidence of extracurricular activities — considering a major, being aware of available financial aid, and more. The pressure is compounded by application fees and deadlines.

Webb was quick to acknowledge high school counselors as a critical link in helping students explore their options after high school. She called them ‘the driving force’ and praised them for their dedication and expert advice.

Josiah Johnson is a senior at Bakersfield High School and has seen this firsthand. He says his counselor, Ms. Jenkins, has been instrumental in guiding him through the process of applying to schools in Oregon, Colorado, and Washington.

“She’s been my biggest help,” Johnson said. “We have talked about financial aid, the expenses it would cost, and the classes and grades I would need to get into those colleges.”

Until a year ago, attending college wasn’t even on Johnson’s radar. He learned that research shows college graduates earn significantly more than those with a high school diploma. Now, he’s interested in pursuing a business major, hoping to get ahead in the job market.

In addition to Ms. Jenkins, Johnson relies heavily on his friends — like best friend Luke — for encouragement and support. He says his friends have provided information and resources, and they help push him to do his best.

“I know Luke and his family have played a big part in helping me apply for college,” he said. “It’s a long process. It’s not fun, but necessary. It helps to have friends who want to be successful.”

Annual College Night

While researching colleges and universities is easier than ever, thanks to technology, the annual Kern County College Night is a perfect venue to meet with representatives from more than 100 institutions across the nation under one roof.  

Each year, KCSOS teams up with the Kern High School District (KHSD), Bakersfield College, CSU Bakersfield, Taft College, and others to connect students and families to higher education that they may not have had access to. 

The 25th annual event is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bakersfield Convention Center. The event is free, and reservations/tickets are not required; however, students are encouraged to complete their StriveScan registration so that colleges and universities can connect with them after the event. 

“We will have public universities, private universities, state schools, community colleges, trade schools, that all come for one night to talk about what it’s like to go to their school,” said Webb. “The event opens [students’] eyes to the world around them and the accessibility of the world around them.”

College Night also offers informational sessions and other resources aimed at helping students understand their options so they can make informed decisions about their future. 

“Half of the Kern High counselors volunteer that night, so there’s a lot of representation from the school district there,” Webb said. “They are just so sharp and so on top of it, they stay so current with what’s going on with the colleges, and we rely heavily on their expertise.”

Kern County College Night is open to everyone, not just high school seniors who are applying to college right now. Webb says it’s a safe space where everyone can ask questions and learn about opportunities they may not have considered before.

‘A Driven Person’

Like Johnson, fellow BHS Driller Thomas Woods plans to attend College Night. 

“I know there’s a lot of resources there that I probably don’t know about, and it would be good to go and learn more about the colleges I’m applying to,” he said.

Woods began the process in the spring of his junior year, developing a comprehensive college list and researching what each has to offer. He is applying to 25, including prestigious Ivy League institutions like Harvard and Columbia, in addition to Stanford, and numerous Cal States and UCs. He says these schools can provide challenging coursework that will drive him toward success.

“I’m a driven person. I love working hard, and these schools have a challenge that entices. That will help me grow and shape me,” he said.

Woods plans to major in economics and finance with dreams of working in the stock market as an investment banker for major corporations, like JP Morgan or Goldman Sachs. He is also interested in helping individuals with their investments and teaching others about the importance of financial literacy.

He is involved in several extracurricular activities, which he says will improve his chances of getting into his dream school. He is the ASB president, president of the Bakersfield Economics Club, a participant in the Youth Commission, and a member of several honor societies and sports teams, and is involved in numerous community programs.  

Woods says his family’s unconditional support boosted his confidence and taught him the value of hard work from a young age.

“They didn’t put pressure on me, they just expected me to live up to these morals that they instilled in me,” he explained. “They expected me to not be the best at anything, but to try my best.”

Start the Process Early 

Johnson and Woods agree that tapping into available resources and starting early are the keys to navigating the college application process. 

Woods credits his two older friends and mentors with introducing him to the application process early on, helping him plan, giving him advice, and encouraging him not to wait. What could have been a more complex process was made easier by early preparation.

“Start as early as you possibly can,” Johnson advised. “The process is very time-consuming. If you could set aside maybe an hour a day, that’s all you really need, then you’ll get it done.”

Janeyle Thomas, a program specialist for College & Career Programs at KCSOS, encourages students to begin exploring their options as early as middle school, saying it’s never too early to start thinking about your future. Understanding what opportunities are out there can help you make informed decisions and give you plenty of time to choose your path ahead.

“It’s just being aware of what’s out there,” she said. “It’s going to better help you prepare for your future the younger you start.”

KCSOS offers a “I have a Plan” Career Exploration Curriculum that introduces students to a variety of different career options that they can explore and learn about before they reach high school.

College Application Workshops

Meanwhile, a new resource is on the horizon. KCSOS is gearing up to offer college application workshops, which will take place on multiple dates this fall, spread out across Kern County so that everyone has access. Register HERE.

These workshops will provide one-on-one assistance with filling out applications, writing personal essays, and completing financial aid forms. Webb says the program can be especially beneficial to undocumented students, first-generation college students, or anyone needing extra guidance.

“We’re creating a plan to help families complete their college applications, because that can be stressful,” she said. “We are going to be available on the weekends before the applications are due, to be able to help families get through that.”

The path to higher education is filled with challenges, but with the proper support and resources, students in Kern County can navigate it successfully. Students can set themselves up for a bright future by taking advantage of local resources.