College Application Season is Stressful. Here’s my Advice.
Amidst an already large sum of senior year of high school craziness, applying to colleges can be daunting, to say the least. Back in my senior year, I didn’t know where to start. As a Midwest native, I knew very little about what I wanted in a college, other than that I badly wanted to venture outside of the region I grew up in. And that thought was overwhelming.
Nearly 4 years later, though, I can affirm: the first step is knowing to just take a deep breath. Don’t let stress overwhelm you! Alleviating this stress, however, is much easier said than done. For me, when I’m overwhelmed, the best remedy is to break it down bit by bit and make the challenge in front of me more digestible. So, let’s do that now.
My first recommendation in the application process is to procure a method of organization that works for you. In the beginning stages, that could be creating a checklist of the things you want out of a school as you start your search, keeping track of which schools align with it as you go. Later, it could be creating a sheets document with all the dates and deadlines you need to keep track of. All the more, you know yourself best and what organization methods work for you. Breaking up your “to do’s” into small tasks as you get into the thick of the application craze is, from my experience, essential in getting applications done to the best of your ability.
Now, creating your college application list may be an intimidating starting point, nonetheless. Obviously, if you have the means, think about planning some college visits! Seeing a college campus in person can certainly help you visualize a potential life there in ways reading about a school cannot. If barriers of any sort prevent you from being able to do so, though, look online for virtual tours and other resources! Most schools have many of these offerings they truly want you to take advantage of. And the more you are able to learn about a school before applying, the more likely you are to have a smart application list. One of the things I am most proud of from my college application cycle is that I only applied to 9 schools, which is likely much less than the averages you hear nowadays. If you don’t think you can see yourself at a school, or even have a single better safety option, don’t waste your time (and money) applying! It’s as simple as that.
*I will note, though, as an indecisive person I do understand being safe and applying to many places can also sometimes alleviate more worry than the stress caused by dealing with all the many applications, so do what you feel is best for you.*
In the meantime, let’s talk about the common app. One of my biggest struggles in the application process, to be honest, was coming up with my main common app essay idea. In the age of social media, it’s easy to think your ideas won’t compare to the innovative essays you see others share on TikTok. But I’ll tell you a secret: the whole point of the essay is to express your individuality. Believe it or not, if you’d have come up with another person’s “successful” essay idea yourself, it likely wouldn’t have translated in the same way. The key to a good common app essay is simple: express yourself authentically!
I was stuck between a few essay ideas until a month before my applications were due. Avoid that if you can, but in the meantime, feel free to start to write out essays for multiple ideas and see what flows best. The content matters less than you think. Admissions counselors just want to learn about who YOU are, and what makes you a special applicant. If that means writing a creative allegory, go ham. If that means anecdotally telling a tale of your personal growth, that’s all you. It might not be what you want to hear, but there’s no one essay format college admission offices look for. Admissions counselors read through thousands of applications every year, so what matters most is that in the brief period of time your application gets read, they are able to visualize who you are as an individual and what you bring to the table as a potential future student. You don’t need to be over-the-top about anything. They just need to be able to anticipate you thriving as a college student, however that may be.
And the same goes for individual college essays and written supplements. Depending on the supplement, find your own individual way to convey how you fit into the prompt you’re being asked. Hone in on past experiences with an outlook on the future. Find a way to bridge your current passions with any dream aspirations you may have. And it’s okay to not know exactly what you want your future to look like. For me, I really didn’t know but rather emphasized my immense desire to learn and use college as an opportunity for tangible growth and self-discovery. The “why” element is important but is entirely subjective. Touch base with yourself as you write, and it will come out.
Now, outside of essays, supplements, and, of course, honing in on what you want in a university, the waiting period as well as decision timeline can feel incredibly out of your control. Again, take a deep breath! Stress and self-pressure are ineffective in aiding what is out of your control. And here’s another secret: I got into USC without knowing truly if I believed it would be the best fit for me. And I committed to coming on May 1st (the very last day to do so – also avoid this if you can LOL), meaning I was incredibly hesitant about what my future here would be! Wherever you get in, deciding on a school to commit to is always risky. Even if you follow every possible step to self-educate about a school’s student life, it will always be a commitment to the unknown.
So, at the end of the day, trust your gut. I know it’s an overused cliche, but what is meant to be truly will be. Just remember that nothing is permanent. Change is always within reach via your own initiative. But live in the moment. Take advantage of new opportunities as they come your way, because what you find may surprise you in the best possible way. Any college education is just a step in your journey, and the most important part of it is having a will to learn. And I really do promise, if you have that will and in your application process are able to tap into the drive behind your dreams, you have no reason to worry. Humans recognize each other’s sense of passion (trust, I study Cognitive Science). Your passion is the strongest not based on its intensity but rather, its authenticity.
Written by Aviva Clauer, class of 2027