Senior Year: The high price of the thrill

by Caitlin Denny and Erin Formulak

$3,o77.79. Is that the cost of a new tv? Nope–this is how much it is to enjoy senior year, at the bare minimum.

Prom, graduation, and Safe and Sane are just some of the memories that underclassmen dream about. But with these eventful occasions come a high price tag.

Caps and gowns, graduation announcements, application fees, AP tests, yearbooks, baby ads, senior pictures, senior apparel, and class rings are items that certainly add up for seniors.

$198. First step to senior year: senior pictures. This occurs right after junior year–new seniors sit for yearbook portraits in June. A sitting fee alone is $20, but a single picture ranges from $22 for a 4 x 5 print, to $198 for a 20 x 24 print.

$150. In September families rush to purchase the yearbook. This memorabilia has a price of $75. But that’s not all–seniors have the option to have their own “baby ad” in the senior pages of the yearbook. Ads include baby pictures, as well as text from family members who wish to congratulate the student’s success. This option will cost another $75.

$190. Seniors (as well as juniors) who plan to apply to college take either the SAT or ACT. Taking at least one of these standardized tests is imperative in the college application process. In March 2015, the cost of an SAT test is $52.50. The average student will take this test 2 or 3 times in his/her high school career, easily spending over 100 dollars. For the ACT, there is an option for 2 tests: with writing, and without writing. The test with writing is $101.50, and without writing is $85 for a single test.

$210. College visits and applications are another budget-buster. Some may know at a young age where they plan to pursue a degree; others may go on multiple college visits to find the right fit for them. Ask seniors how many colleges they have applied to; they might say as many as eight or nine. Applying to colleges is stressful enough with the application itself and essays required. The visits are another hidden cost. Depending on how far away the college campus is, meals, transportation, parking and a hotel may be included.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the average cost of application fees provided by 1,391 ranked colleges in Spring 2012 was $37.88. That is the highest average in the past five years. (In 2011, the average was $37.45) Stanford University had the highest application fee in the nation at $90.

$180. Take Louie Lancer: he is a senior who has chosen to apply to 3 colleges close to home. He applies to Towson University ($45), West Virginia University ($60) and University of Maryland ($75). This doesn’t count the college logo t-shirts that his mom purchased in each school bookstore ($75).

$193.49. There are upperclassmen who think that some senior apparel is pointless. Kelly Angeletti says, “It was weird that there were shirts specifically for Linganore seniors [which were $20], but there were also generic Class of 2015 shirts [sold on Jostens for $18.50]. I also got a class ring, but I don’t wear it ever.” The lowest price for a class ring is $154.99.

$187.30. The Mascot Package– graduation announcements. Thomas Orme, LHS representative for Jostens, a company specializing in high school apparel, including class rings and caps and gowns, says some items that are sold are not as popular as others. “Class rings are not nearly as popular as they used to be. But we have senior packages that are immensely popular, such as The Mascot package. This package includes graduation announcements, stationary, a tee shirt, sweatshirt, drawstring bag and a key ring.” More chotchkies are available online.

Amy Gober, mother of  senior Jonathan Gober, says, “I expected many expenses but decided not to incur some. For example, [we] chose not to buy a class ring, senior pictures or the graduation package that included sweatshirts, etc.”

$1,139. The biggest night to remember–Prom. According to ABC News, an average high school student will spend $1,139 on this night. This includes a dress (or tux), ticket, limo service, and any pre-dance festivities that may occur.

$50. On June 2nd, the Class of 2015 will be sitting in the auditorium at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, either wearing red for the ladies or black for the gentlemen. Kathy Becker, guidance counselor says, “If this $50 cost for the cap and gown duo is a problem for a family, the school will provide a discount depending on the situation at home.”

$30. Safe and Sane is yet another fee. After the graduation ceremony, the new graduates stay up all night at Mount Saint Mary’s celebrating their success with their class, courtesy of the hard work of the Safe and Sane committee (made up of parents) who raises thousands of dollars to put on the big party. Last year, activities included toilet bowl racing, the opportunity to catch money in an air-blown machine, basketball, volleyball, and a wrecking ball inspired moon bounce. Door prizes and a brand new car are also raffled off during this event. Although the committee spends much more per person on the event, the early registration fee is only $30.

$550. Senior year is now over. You made it! Now it is time to celebrate your accomplishment. To do this, what way is better than a party? Invitations, thank you notes and postage, decorations/ balloons, banners and signs, food and beverages, and balloons will cost you another $550 for a fun-filled backyard bash.

Gober’s advice? “Ask your child what they really want and what they plan to hold onto after graduation and choose things based on that. The memories are the most important– the rings and clothes will be put in a drawer and forgotten a week after graduation!”