How to Handle the Stress of College Applications

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As much as it is daunting to begin college applications, it is exciting. College is your next big step in life. The time you spend in college results in lifelong friends, treasured memories, and experiences that will last a life time.

          As it is nearing college application deadlines for the 2017 fall semester, most seniors (like myself) are fearing these deadlines. Although college applications can be overwhelming  there are many ways for you to ease the stress for yourself.

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Start Early

I sound like a broken record saying this, don't I? I know you have heard it over and over again but I am only repeating this ear bleeding phrase because it is wise, very wise. The earlier you start all of the applications the less daunting the deadlines will become.

For most of us the essays are the most intimidating, but the best advice I will give to you is to just write. Don't think about it, just write. Don’t vacillate over topics, word choice etc. just start writing about the first idea/topic that comes to mind that best fits the prompt you are asked to answer. Once you have finished writing, simply put it away and don't look at your essay for at least a day.

Allowing yourself to freely write will not only help put your mind at ease that you have at least started or attempted your essays, but also break the ice and the potential writers block that you may have had.

Also, putting your essay away for at least a day will give yourself a fresh brain to revise the essay and formulate clear thoughts about your writing. At this time you can ask yourself if the topic you wrote about best answered the prompt, if the structure contributed well to the message you are trying to convey, or does the word choice match the style you want to portray.

Starting the applications early and completing them little by little (remember baby steps) will help the process along and the deadlines, like I said, wont seem as daunting. Dedicating time each day or every other day for about 30 minutes to an hour on college applications will also move the process along nicely.

Planning

Another key detail to relieving the stress of college applications is to plan. Get out your planner or print a monthly calendar off the internet and write in all of your deadlines. ALL OF THEM. Plan out  deadlines for yourself to complete rough and final drafts of your essays, teacher visits to revise your essays, and plan the days where you need to remind your teachers about the recommendation letter you asked them to write for you. Planning everything out AND sticking to it will help relieve your stress tremendously.

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Realize

Lastly and maybe most importantly you need to realize a few things.The college application process is rigorous, time consuming, and stressful to say the least.  While it may be all of the above, it is not the end all be all.

With that being said, if you feel insecure about certain aspects of your application know that someone else is also just as insecure about certain parts of their application. Even the senior with what you may see as a perfect resume has insecurities too. You are not alone in this process. I am a senior this year, just like several other thousands of students and I am insecure about certain pieces of my application, but I do believe that everything happens for a reason.

As you begin your college applications show yourself off, brag about everything you have accomplished and show the college admissions who you are and why you deserve to attend their university. Start early ( I’m definitely sounding like a broken record), have parents and teachers revise your essays so you are able to put your best foot forward.

Maybe, at the end of the day you don’t end up at Yale even with the countless hours spent at the Humane Society or sleepless nights studying throughout your high school career, but know that wherever you end up it will be the perfect place for you.

As my parents have always said, let the chips fall where they may.

I wish you all (almost) stress-free applications!

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS? CHECK OUT THE YGITW BOOK HERE!
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The Difference Between Early Action, Early Decision and Regular Decision Applications

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College application season is coming up! This means you have to decide how and when to submit your application to your chosen colleges and universities. Each application plan is unique in its own way and a wrong decision could cause you to rethink or change which institution you want to enroll in.

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Early Action

Overview:

Early Action allows you to apply early for an institution without having to fully commit to that specific school. With this plan, you are allowed to apply for other institutions and are not forced to withdraw the applications to other schools if you get accepted through the Early Action plan.

Pros:

  • No Commitment - You do not have to fully commit to a school, unlike the ED plan.
  • Early Response - You get an early notification from the school if you are accepted, denied, or deferred into the regular admission applicant pool.
  • Financial Aid - You are able to compare financial aid offers from different schools which could be beneficial financially.
  • Less Stress- You are less stressed about applications when January rolls around.

Cons:

  • Less Polished Applications - Since these applications are due around November, this could affect the overall quality of your essay when it comes to essay questions or other written components of the application.
  • Single Choice Early Action - Some schools, such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford, have a policy of “Single Choice Early Action” in which you are only allowed to apply to that specific school and only that school for EA. You may not apply to any other school via the EA plan.
  • Senior Year Grades - Sometimes your first-semester senior year grades can help boost your application, so if you submit EA you risk the chance of missing out on the inclusion of these grades.

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Early Decision

Overview:

Early Decision allows you to apply to one school that you are going to be fully committed to and by fully committed, I mean you are practically “binding” yourself to that school if you get accepted. When applying with Early Decision, make sure you are confident with your choice school and have done a lot of research before deciding to take this application route.

Pros:

  • “Slight” Edge - Since you are fully committing to that one school, if you are accepted, it shows the school that you have set your sights to that school and are 100% sure about your decision to attend.
  • Less Stress - Just like EA applications, ED applications are submitted around November which can save you some time later in the application process.

Cons:

  • Full Commitment - With Early Decision, you can only apply to one school and if you are accepted to that school then you must attend unless there is a reason you cannot attend, such as your inability to physically pay or be on campus.
  • Withdrawal of Other Applications - If you are accepted to your ED school, you must “withdraw” all other submitted applications because of your commitment.
  • Changing Your Mind - You should be 100% confident about your chosen ED school if you choose this plan. Since this plan is a “binding” plan, you must fully look at your chosen school and make sure you are confident in your decision.
  • Chance of Less Financial Aid - Unlike Early Action, ED acceptances usually don’t come with financial aid offers because of your commitment to that school.
  • Less Polished Applications - Like EA applications, these applications are submitted early which may be inconvenient since the fall time can be very busy time for you. If you submit an unpolished application, it could hinder your chance at being admitted into the school.
  • Senior Year Grades - Just like Early Action, you risk the chance of missing out on the inclusion of these grades, but usually colleges will ask you to submit a Mid-Year report.

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Regular Decision

Overview:

When applying with Regular Decision, many colleges have their applications due around the beginning of January. This application path is generally the most used because of the non-commitment aspect of the application process.

Pros:

  • Applying to all of Your Chosen Colleges - With the regular decision, you are allowed to apply to all of your desired colleges!
  • More Time and Polished Application - Since the deadline is later than both of the EA and ED paths, you have more time to polish up your application to make sure your application is the best as it can be.
  • Senior Grades - Like I mentioned earlier in both of the EA and ED sections, the inclusion of your senior year grades can help show that you are consistent with your grade marks.

Cons:

  • Competition - Competition to get into any college is always a thing, but when applying with the thousands of other people, your application may not stand out when it comes to the admission process.
  • Later Admission Decision - Although the wait for the decision is longer, it is only a couple of months after EA and ED decisions.

Whichever path you choose when deciding when to submit your college application, make you choose the best path for your intentions and do a lot of research on your colleges!

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS? CHECK OUT THE YGITW BOOK HERE!
LOOKING FOR A HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE INTERNSHIP? APPLY HERE!
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