As the 2025-26 college admissions cycle began, new updates rolled out in response to the January Los Angeles fires. The Common Application, a web-based tool used by many U.S. universities and colleges, opened August 1 and included a new natural disaster section– a designated area where students can report any natural disasters and other disruptions they experienced during high school. Likewise, the University of California application implemented a similar sub-section. Considering the vast shift in applications toward ameliorating environmental issues, the Palisades fire poses a great deal of questions for Pali’s senior class regarding college admissions.

With a three-month period of online learning followed by a transition to a temporary campus last spring, many members of this year’s graduating class have expressed concern about negative repercussions in the approaching college admissions process. 

Many Pali students transferred to other high schools following the fire. Senior Harper Given is one of the students who returned to Pali after finishing her junior year at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach.

“In the midst of what’s already considered the hardest year of high school, junior year, I was forced to confront so much change while also having the pressure to keep up with school, take the SAT, and think about college applications,” Given said.

Many students who transferred for their second semester junior year missed out on opportunities to make lasting connections with teachers and apply for leadership roles in student organizations and clubs.

“Leaving Pali, I felt like I got screwed over in parts of my application and I felt very behind,” Given said. “Yet I think it allowed me to focus on parts of myself that I want to shine in my application.”

Many schools have reached out to Pali’s college center to offer condolences as well as support that students may need in completing admissions applications. One school, Arizona State University (ASU), actually created a guaranteed admissions pathway for L.A. students impacted by the Palisades and Altadena wildfires. 

ASU President Michael Crow facilitated the new addition to the university’s admissions process for impacted students.

“ASU has been inspired by the L.A.-area families who are doing all they can to recover and move forward,” Crow said. “It’s part of our university charter to help the communities we serve, and this is one small way that we can assist Angelenos. Everyone deserves access to high-quality education no matter their circumstances.”

Pali Director of College Advising Karen Ellis is working with other university admission officers in an attempt to keep this year’s college application process as normal as possible while also providing support for any student who needs it. 

“Despite us not being at Pali’s original campus, we are trying to continue campus visits as much as possible to help students stay informed on the college application process and allow students to envision themselves at certain schools,” Ellis said.

Pali has added a new section to its annual school report that is sent out to all colleges, which highlights the impact of the fires on the school.

“One of the things the college center submits along with every student application from Pali is a school profile,” Ellis said. “This year, we have an addendum that discusses the fire in totality and its impact, which we hope colleges will acknowledge.”

However, it is equally as important to acknowledge that while the fires were devastating to the Palisades, natural disasters are impacting other communities across the United States.

“Just from the Texas floods and the North Carolina fires that happened, we know that natural disasters occur…this circumstance is not unique to Pali students,” she said. “So while I do not think grace will be given just because the fires happened, I think it will be an important part of student applications that is a testament to their strength and character.”

Senior Maria Knierim takes a positive outlook on this year’s admissions cycle while recognizing the debilitating effects the fires have had on students.

“The fires have been a perfect example of going through something super difficult in a very formative period of your life, and the resilience and perseverance shown by all Pali students is exactly what colleges are looking for,” said Knierim, one of the many Pali students who lost her home in the Jan. 7 blaze.

“After the fires, I kind of thought of my life as over and didn’t really see college as something important,” Knierim said. “Without a permanent home or school, I felt very lost.”

The fires caused some students to question their future, and many were not sure what their life would look like going forward.

“There was a moment where I forgot about everything I had been working towards for the past four years,” she said.

Yet Knierim’s hope prevailed over her doubts. 

“The fire opened my eyes to what I viewed as important and how I wanted to support my community, especially through environmental work,” Knierim said. “I’ve shifted to prioritizing things I’m actually passionate about, rather than things I thought colleges wanted me to do.”

The change and uncertainty experienced by many Pali students has led some to focus on certain aspects of their lives that they feel extremely passionate about.

“I’ve seen a lot of kids come out of [the fires] leaning into what they truly care about. I think it will lead to a lot of authenticity in the applications that are going to be submitted from Pali,” she said.

Given shared many of Knierim’s sentiments on the current college application cycle.

“I hope colleges don’t take pity on us and instead recognize what we accomplished despite the tragedy we endured.”

Most high school seniors experience stress regarding college applications. But Pali’s class of 2026, having gone through the loss of homes, a campus and community, is feeling this anxiety to a higher degree. 

“I think in high school there is so much pressure that you need to know what you want to do in life and have a plan,” Given said. “But coming out of the fires, I realized I have my entire future ahead of me and I don’t need to figure it all out right now.” 

Applying for college and graduating high school is the first step for Pali seniors into their adult lives. And while the senior class will face major changes going forward, the changes the class of 2026 have already faced have prepared them for any challenges coming their way. 

Many seniors do not know where they want to go to college, what they want to do, or have any concept of their future. But Pali seniors know how to overcome difficulties and persevere towards their goals.

“Most of all, I feel the fires have solidified a strong sense of community in us, and I know that whatever happens this year, we’re all going through it together,” Knierim said. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our senior class.”