During the upcoming months, competition at CRLS runs rampant, with early decision deadlines approaching, college talk has engulfed the junior and senior classes. One question arises, who is going to run the 2025 future plans account? Should there even be a future plans 2025 account? The Class of 2024 is unique in that their future plans account garnered lots of attention, it was interesting to look at, and there was a constant flow of submissions. But, adding pressure to an already tense environment for seniors is not necessary. The closeness of CRLS to Harvard invites pressure and competition about who can get into the most prestigious schools. The club and sports involvement at school is competitive as well; students compete for leadership roles. CRLS students seem to enjoy these future plans accounts, when asked about the environment they create, most students said that they enjoy seeing how different everyone’s post-secondary plan is, and how happy they are for their classmates. These accounts also provide a glimpse into the college admissions process, possibly piquing the interests of underclassmen. But, some would argue that college admissions are already complicated enough, why air them out for all of Instagram? Even if it is optional to submit, why would someone benefit from submission? Taking these questions into mind, maybe the senior class will decide against a future plans account.
The critique for accounts like these is the competition that they might foster: the amount of likes or comments, the pressure to go to prestigious schools or even attend college at all. Many students change their plans, with unexpected waitlists and deferments. Some students do not want to be defined or perceived based on their future plans. So many things factor into acceptances, like legacy, financial situations, grades, essays, extracurriculars, and more. It can be a gamble, and there are so many reasons that students do or do not get in. Amplifying the acceptances on social media could breed jealousy and resentment, but most students told the Register Forum they really enjoy the future plans accounts.
Positive opinions from students abound; Lucca Olivet ’25 told the Register Forum, “The future plans accounts are honestly so entertaining, and a good source.” Surprisingly, people seem to really like these accounts, Emma Shaw ’26 told the Register Forum, “It’s a good way of letting people know how to stay in touch, and congratulate people on their achievements. It’s a good way to let people know without it being awkward.”
Regardless of someone’s future plans, it is important to realize that people do not have to be defined by institutions. The choice as to whether or not to follow or engage with these accounts, is up to the individual. Some people work extremely hard to get into schools, why stop congratulating them because of the insecurities of others? But, even hard working people don’t get into their schools of choice. We don’t know the whole story of anyone’s decision, so maybe it is okay that we share them on social media. Overall, it may be better to avoid creating one of these accounts for this year. It would certainly be a sigh of relief for many seniors, regardless of how they express their stance.
This article also appears in our October 2024 print edition.
