On May 20th at 7:00 pm, representatives from colleges across the country and Staples students gathered in the Staples auditorium to delve into one of the most daunting of topics: the college process.

Panel members included admissions representatives from schools such as Amherst College, Columbia University, Endicott College, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Johnson & Wales University, Mitchell College, Smith College, Tulane University, Union College, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts, University of Richmond, Vanderbilt University, Washington University and Yale University.

Throughout the night, each panelist discussed a different aspect of the college process including teacher recommendations, institutional priorities, athletic recruiting, college fairs, the college essay, and many others.

“The most useful topic covered was the idea that all of the parts of your application balance out and that you shouldn’t stress just about the essay,” said Xenia Bradley ’15.

In addition to useful advice and helpful tips, the college panel night turned applying to college from an obscure and mysterious process to a human and genuine one.

“The panel made the application process a little less intimidating,” said Abby Lustig ’15. “It showed that there are real people who care about reading our applications.”

       The event was filmed for channel 78 for those who were unable to attend.