Disclaimer: I am a high school senior who would very much like to go to college and is happy for her peers who have already been accepted. So this is a totally judgment-free zone.

That being said, Facebook these days is not for the faint of heart.

Anyone who is friends (literally or virtually) with a senior is probably familiar with the vague, congratulatory posts infiltrating their news feed.

“Congrats college girl!”

“My BFF is going to college!”

“Who knew… congrats to my smart friend!”

The excitement is palpable, as is the satisfaction – “I am one of a select few who knows anything about my friend and their post-high school plans,” they seem to singsong.

Meanwhile, the rest of us are left wondering where this person has been accepted and whether or not they have committed through early decision to go there.

Not even Nancy Drew could handle all of the investigating and networking required to get the full scoop.

Cue “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.”

Objectively speaking, it’s a great time to be a senior. Early applications are in, first quarter grades have been sent, and second semester is on the horizon. Rolling and early colleges are starting to make decisions, and the anxiety-filled waiting period is coming to an end for many.

But the ambiguous posts are a little disappointing. What happened to the all-caps Facebook statuses? Or am I getting ahead of myself?

The fact that no one is naming names isn’t notable because it makes us all so curious.

It’s notable because it represents the insane level of secrecy and competition that Staples students are used to.

We live in an environment where people feel stressed about wearing college logo-wear in public for fear of giving away hints and where people would rather disclose their weight than their top choice school.

It’s ironic that at a school as academically competitive as ours, it’s rare to find someone who is an open book when it comes to college. Pun intended.

At the end of the day, we’re all excited for our classmates when they get good news.

We just want to hear what that news is.