Beginning this fall for the class of 2025, apply to college days are back. At Marietta High School, this means a day each month students get designated time to turn in a college application. But get this: it’s free. Grant Rivera, the Marietta City Schools Superintendent, makes the honorable promise of paying for one college application for each senior, each year, out of his very own pocket. This can make a big difference in many students’ journeys when applying to college, as it is not always easy or manageable for students to pay the fees that come with applying. Thanks to applying to College Day and Grant Rivera’s kindness, students are encouraged to take action and embark on their future, with no application fee standing in their way.

“I think it is so kind that Dr. Rivera has decided to do this because it shows his care for students at our school and makes things a little bit easier for everyone,” Addison Morelli (12) said. The college application process opens new doors for students as they close the door to Marietta High School, and, hopefully, everyone has the opportunity to open that door by applying to college day.

There is one apply-to-college day each month, beginning in September, and another one occurring recently in October, before the October 15th deadline for schools like the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. 

“I submitted my UGA application on the September application day, and it was so relieving to finally submit it and so nice of Dr. Rivera to pay my application fee,” Julia Lloyd (12) said. 

One application at a time, the apply to college day event is changing the possibilities and opening doors to students’ futures.