As the Middleton High School (MHS) 2023-2024 school year comes to an end, MHS will say goodbye to its senior class of 2024. Along with goodbyes,seniors will reflect on the past four years at MHS, offering  helpful insights and looking forward to their futures. 

These MHS seniors agreed to share their after-high school plans along with their insights and strategies that helped them throughout high school.  

Alexa Garber

Garber plans on attending Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. next year to major in Biology on the Pre-Med track. Garber said she is “looking forward to living in a big city for the first time.” 

Garber reflects on her strategies throughout high school which helped her get where she is today. Garber emphasized the importance of time management:

“I strategically split my time between academics and extracurriculars. I wanted to be able to do well in classes while still exploring my interests.”

Garber urges other students to set good habits in high school not only for high school success but also in preparation for adulthood. 

“Do not write essays the night before they’re due” was Garber’s final piece of advice. 

Geoffrey Nelson

Geoffrey Nelson plans on attending McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada next year to study International Relations and French.

Nelson believes that the culture surrounding success in schools such as MHS tends to be unrealistic, such that be the impossible standards high schoolers hold themselves to and pushing themselves past their limits with coursework and extracurricular activities.

“This could be for numerous reasons such as the socioeconomic class of the city or the curriculum schools follow,” he said.

Nelson advises that students do not overstress themselves because no one knows what the future holds. 

“Yes you can take steps that provide a higher foundation to reach a higher caliber of university or other post-secondary plans, but the ability to predict where you will end up is impossible,” he said.

Nelson also encourages students to make time for what they love.

“Work toward the goals you deem worthy, your passion will take you further than your fear of failure.”

Nelson also drew attention to the fact that “high school is not about living a miserable present to experience a magical future.”

Isha Chilukuri

Chilukuri plans on attending the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania next year to major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. Chilukuri is excited about  “the amazing opportunities and interesting classes” she will take as well as  “meeting new people and exploring Philadelphia.” 

Chilukuri believes that while academic averages–such as AP test scores, standardized test scores, and grade point average–are important, her “biggest strength throughout the college application process was having a clear narrative,” which for Chilukuri was oriented towards politics and law. 

“I didn’t have as strong extracurriculars as many Ivy League acceptees, but I had a very clear focus, which is what I believe led to my college acceptances,” Chilukuri said.

Chilukuri urges underclassmen to “be as efficient as you can” along with “balancing time with things you actually enjoy.”

“Getting sleep is way more effective than procrastinating than pulling all-nighters studying,” Chilukuri said. 

Ria Karthik

Karthik plans on attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison next year to major in Biochemistry on the Pre-Med track. 

Karthik believes her success comes from her involvement in the community. 

“I made sure to take volunteer opportunities that brought me close to my roots and strengthened my values,” Kathik said. “This showed future schools that I was a well-rounded individual.”

Karthik also explains that commitment is a great trait to have when applying to schools. 

“I had a long-term job that demonstrated my skills as a leader and role model to the youth in my community,” she said.

Karthik would like younger students to know that doing things that actually interest them is one of the most important things they can do.

“Applying to college is much easier when activities tell a story about the kind of person you are,” she said.

Ricardo Sanchez Cortes

Sanchez Cortez plans on attending Columbia University in New York, New York next year to study Biomedical Engineering. Sanchez Cortez is excited to gain independence despite the scariness of living alone. 

Sanchez Cortez believes that “dedication to attaining goals” is very important. 

Sanchez Cortez advises underclassmen to stay on top of work and take advantage of opportunities. 

“Make sure to still balance work with fun,” Sanchez Cortez said.

Shelley Yang

Yang plans on attending Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey next year to study Architecture. Yang is very excited to explore New Jersey along with taking trains to visit New York City and Philadelphia. 

Yang reflects on what helped her the most through high school, which for her was “being well-rounded, but still having an obvious spike in visual arts.”

For Yang’s application, she additionally submitted an art portfolio to showcase her interest in art to impress admissions officers.

“For college applications, my art portfolio and essays helped me and I am so grateful for those who read and helped edit my essays and curate my portfolio.,” Yang said. “It was a huge support throughout the process.”

Finally, Yang urges current high school students to enjoy their high school years.

“It all goes by very fast, so make sure to always stay true to yourself.”