After an increase in criticism regarding pricing of graduating and senior related issues, seniors now inform students on the costs they’ll potentially face during their senior year.
“They[Jostens] had 3 different packages that you could get. The $300 dollar one, you get almost everything, except for a few things. But even if you get one of the other packs that are cheaper options, you would equal the $300. What’s the point of offering the pack, if it’s gonna all add up to the same thing,” Brooke Baker said.
An example of seniors paying large amounts of money for school. As well as seniors’ graduation attire.
“We have to pay for our gowns and our caps which, I’ll be honest, I thought the school provided for us, apparently not,” senior Joel Lopez Gutierrez said.
To some, it’ll seem like common knowledge that they’ll have to pay for their graduating attire. But others wished for there to be another option, like having the ability to rent their cap and gown since it’ll only be used once.
“If you don’t want to keep it, and want to rent it for the day, that is something that should be offered. My sister graduated from a different school in Washington, and there was the option to rent a cap and gown and then return it,” Baker said.
Graduating caps and gowns are expensive, but there are other things that can increase the cost of senior year. Senior pictures are also costly but it depends on if they’re professionally done.
“So far, I’d say, $500-600, $700, maybe but that’s because of a lot of senior pictures and definitely your gown costs a little bit,” senior Nathan Hernbloom said.
With the high prices of senior graduation attire and photos, some students would wonder how they were meant to acquire the money. The ways vary, by working a job and/or getting financial help.
“I’ve been saving up since freshman year, like working, so it didn’t really affect me because I halved it[the money} with my parents on everything,” Senior Erika Cartwright said.
Depending on the student, money may not be a problem. But a majority of students work for the money they earn and use it towards their graduation apparel and senior photos.
“I had to save up my own money to pay for my gown, my photos and there was a point in time where I was worrying about having to pay for my AP class. But thankfully I didn’t have to do that,” Lopez Gutierrez said.
Because of how much students are spending during their senior year, they could be prohibited from doing other things, such as taking specific kinds of classes in school.
“My college algebra class, it’s a college class and the amount of money that you have to put in to take it for a college credit, was too much in my opinion. And instead I’m just taking it as a high school math class,” Lopez Gutierrez said.
College applications are another costly thing to worry about. But there are ways to apply to college, free of charge.
“I actually haven’t spent anything on college applications because with a lot of them, if you visit the campus, you can apply for free,” senior Emily Forshee said.
Having opportunities such as these can greatly help students save money. But regardless of trying to save money, it’ll still be spent somehow. The amount would depend on the student but in general, a lot is spent during senior year.
“I get special benefits through ‘Common App’. I have not spent a single dime on college applications. Think of it as like Xello, but it’s just a different website,” Lopez Gutierrez said.
