Going Places: The Changing Landscape of College Admissions and Saint Gertrude Graduates

By Christina Grande

In 2026 we’ve seen prices soar, including the rising cost of a college education. While some researchers question the return on investment (ROI) for a college education, highly motivated students still see college as the “end game” that will ultimately lead them to their future career.  One question remains: In a landscape where everything is changing, how do students choose which college will be the right fit for them? 

Students at Saint Gertrude are strategically choosing schools by programs, location, and cost of attendance. For Kyria Martinez, her college choice centered around both athletic programs and academic programs.  Kyria, a first generation college student, will spend the next part of her academic career in a PA (Physicians Assistant) Early Assurance Program, a competitive program that accepts fewer than six students a year and provides a direct pathway to PA school. Not only was Kyria admitted to the program, but she was also offered a spot on the track team after an official visit at the school.  

Quinn Cury’s trajectory looks a little different. Interested in elementary education, Quinn will be attending one of the top undergraduate education programs in Virginia. While Quinn and Kyria applied Early Action, which is a non-binding agreement that gives students the opportunity to receive admission results in the winter rather than spring, other students chose the Early Decision route, which is a binding commitment. Sofia Pudner, Grace Harmeyer, and Charlotte Sykes put “all of their eggs in one basket” and applied Early Decision to the University of Virginia, one of the most competitive public universities in the country. Together, they will live on the grounds next year as first-year students. 

Of course there are other factors to consider when applying to college. For Rose Borchert, things are a little more complicated. Rose is hoping to attend a college that allows her to continue working for Abigail Spanberger. Promoted from fellow to unpaid intern to paid intern, Rose has worked her way up as one of the only paid high school interns on Spanberger’s campaign. She will also attend UVA, which will give her the opportunity to continue her political pursuits. 

Adelaide Szalay is set on a completely different path. After school hours, Adelaide has spent her time applying to over a dozen schools for musical theater. For most of her applications, Adelaide has had to send a pre-screen or pre-audition video to each school first in order to be offered an audition slot. So, the college process from Adelaide’s perspective looks much different than the process for other students, even if she is applying to the same schools. 

There is no doubt that higher education has changed since us parents applied to college.  Students didn’t apply to dozens of schools; instead, we applied to a few, sending our hand-written paper applications in a stamped envelope in the mail. With the Common Application and more colleges asking students to apply into a major rather than just into the school as a whole, admissions has become much more complicated. There are all different types of universities, and students should be looking for a college that “fits” them.  Of course as tuition increases, cost now plays a bigger role in a family’s college decision.  

At Saint Gertrude, I’ve been impressed with the strategic and careful way students are picking schools and creating their college lists. Our students have thought long and hard about their future careers, not just about where they will spend the next four years of their lives. I feel blessed to be a part of their journey, and I urge underclassmen to use the seniors’ paths as a model of how they should approach their own college choices.