For seniors, McLean High School looks different on May 1. They fill the halls wearing shirts and sweatshirts representing their plans for next year, many showing off college logos and colors. National College Decision Day is celebrated each year on May 1, marking a milestone for high school seniors across the country.
At McLean, the tradition brings students together on the football field during Highlander Time, where they celebrate with an ice cream social organized by the senior student council, and by taking photos with their friends and classmates.
“For the past four years, we’ve been working so hard to get to this very moment, and Commits Day is a day for all the seniors to come together and really appreciate each other and show a lot of love,” senior Jad Osta said. “Whether or not we’ve been beefing in the past, whether or not we’ve been best friends since day one, it’s a day to hold hands, lift them up and celebrate together.”
Beyond just the photos on the field, Decision Day carries a deep emotional weight for many students. It can represent relief after months of applications, decisions and uncertainty, as well as marking the beginning of major change. That excitement is often mixed with anxiety about the future and sadness about leaving McLean behind.
“I think it was really cool to see everyone’s shirts and where everyone’s going, and to see everyone so excited about their school that fits them,” senior Katelyn Gray said. “Everyone, now knowing where they’re going, is getting sad and sentimental, but also very excited.”
For some people, the decision of where to spend their next year came easily. For others, there was a lot of thought put into it, considering factors like academics, financial support and location.
“I committed for tennis so the decision wasn’t too difficult but it still feels good,” Gray said. “I know a lot of people had to think hard about their decision, so i’m sure it feels like a weight lifted off their shoulders.”
While most students will attend four-year colleges after high school, Decision Day also highlights the variety of paths seniors can take after graduation, including community college, gap years and military service. Gathering on the field gives students a chance to see what their peers are interested in and think about their time at McLean before they move on.
“I think it’s more than fun, I think it’s inspirational,” Osta said. “I think life goes deeper than just having fun all the time. It’s a moment to reflect on everything we’ve achieved since we really entered high school.”
Teachers also get to go to the field and watch their current or past students, noting what path they are choosing for themselves.
“I always am glad to learn where kids are going, because I teach mostly juniors, and I don’t bump into them as regularly in their senior year,” history teacher Dylan Wedan said. “It’s a mixture of joy, excitement and also sadness to see them go, and I am absolutely, 100%, proud of all my students.”
The event itself, and the ice cream provided to students, was organized by the student council and represents the strong sense of community at McLean. Every senior shows up to the field, congratulating their peers and celebrating everyone’s accomplishments. Decision Day for years has marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next, and for the Class of 2026, it was a moment to reflect and celebrate.
“I think, you know, the weather was nice, so that played into it, but at the end of the day, it comes down to organization, and that’s what the student government was able to do,” Osta said. “The day has taken me back to some memories of just how close the McLean community is, both to each other and to our teachers, our faculty, and, of course, the student government.”
