Camping Out for Colorado is a school sponsored event where seniors are encouraged to access help with college essays and applications. From Oct. 15 to Oct. 17, all the post-secondary schools in the state have free application days. Counselors provide students with a relaxed environment, offering food and snacks to the students at the event, which lasts from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. In their third year of hosting the event, an average of 152 students attended per day, with the most being on the last day having 185 students attend. In total, 987 college applications were submitted, with 825  in-state and 162 out-of-state. Due to the free applications, students were able to save $35,310. 

“I mainly went there because the applications were free, I probably saved around $300 in total for my Colorado applications,” said Divyansh Kulkarni (12).

The college application process can be daunting for many students, the prospect of having to sum up your accomplishments and make a lasting impression on colleges. Students stress about the college application process, and take a lot of time trying to make their essay perfect. Asking English teachers multiple times about what they could do to make it better. 

Sarah Benavides (12) said, “It was stressful at first because I had no idea what to do. Cornelio was a major help with things as she was very approachable and I felt like I could always ask her for help.”

To celebrate the end of the college admissions process, the staff and counselors brought a variety of instruments. The instruments range from wind chimes to a gong, which students use to symbolize when they turn in an application to a college. Then they sign a 2025 College Application Celebration Board and mark down where they applied to. 

College and Career Counselor, Stephanie Corneilo said, “I believe every student should utilize the fall semester of their senior year to create opportunities for themselves for the spring.”