17 Years, 17 Apps

College applications are arguably the most stressful time in a student’s academic career. Simply hearing the word “college” makes seniors physically cringe. However, student Bongani Phiri is taking this challenge head-on, applying to 17 colleges. Though this may seem overwhelming for some, Phiri wants “to see how far [his] hard work has taken [him].” Stating that his biggest motivation is “to relieve the financial burden off of [his] mother,” he is grateful for this opportunity. 

While most seniors average around two hours a week, Phiri spends close to six focusing on applications and college visits. Considering how time-consuming his college application process is, balancing his school work and Cross Country is not an easy endeavor. He shared that although he is maintaining good grades, it has been a struggle. Despite these hardships, Phiri shares that his “family is keeping [him] grounded” adding that he needs his “support system”.

 When asked about having advice for juniors applying to college next year, Phiri emphasizes prioritizing mental health. Relating to his own experience, Phiri urges students to keep a clear mind and take care of themselves. He strongly advises that they are “not going to be able to write well if they are not in the right mindset.”

As of October 18, Phiri has qualified as a finalist for the Questbridge Scholarship. This program allows low-income students to be granted a full ride to top colleges (Stanford, Yale, Brown, to name a few). With an acceptance rate of 9%, this is a noteworthy achievement. With the path he is currently on, Phiri’s hard work is bound to pay off.