An Open Letter to Those Going Through the College Application Process | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

An Open Letter to Those Going Through the College Application Process

Five tips that will be your saving grace during the college application process.

27
An Open Letter to Those Going Through the College Application Process
Good Call

Dear Severely Stressed-Out Seniors,

It’s the time of year where stress and anxiety levels of 12th graders across the nation to sky rocket. Don’t worry, take a deep breath, believe it or not, it’s going to be okay! Millions of students have been in your position before and have all made it out alive. Lucky for you, you have their mistakes and experiences to learn from while embarking on your college application process. I was just as stressed, if not more so, as you are in this very moment, but here are some tips that I wish I had known when I began this torturous yet inevitable process.

1. Start as early as you can.

If you haven’t done so already, check out your perspective school’s applications. Once you finalize your list, go to the school’s website to find out what kind of application awaits you. Then, see the requirements for each application. Some schools will require just an application, some will ask for an essay, some will ask for several supplemental essays. The more you know about your application, the more prepared you will be. You would rather feel overwhelmed with information than be pound out six supplement essays the night before the application is due.

2. Reach out to trusted teachers about editing your essay early.

As busy you think you are, your teachers are just as busy during the beginning of the school. Not only are they getting ready for the upcoming year, they are also writing letters of recommendations in addition to many students asking them for essay help. That being said, you want to be one of the first students to ask teachers for essay help: brainstorming, editing and everything in-between. The sooner you ask for help, the more time you have to improve your writing, and the less of a line you’ll have to wait at your teacher’s door as deadlines creep up.

3. Apply to places where you can see yourself.

Apply smart. I filled out several applications to school’s that I applied to just for the sake of applying. It was a giant waste of time, money and chipped away from my sanity. So when you are finalizing your list, take a second to ask yourself, “Would I actually go to this school?” Think of what you want out of your future university and make sure that where you’re applying possesses all those characteristics, and more! If you’re looking for a school with nice climate, there is no reason for you to apply to a school in upstate New York, vice versa. If you are iffy about whether or not you would have an amazing four years at a certain institution, reach out to an enrolled student, visit campus, take an online tour, do some research- do whatever it takes to get a feel of what that school is really like and if it’s for you!

4. Figure out which of your schools are/are not on the Common Application.

The term “Common Application” is a bit deceiving. While a decent amount of schools are on the Common App, there are still a majority of schools that have not jumped on that bandwagon. On August 1st when the Common App was released, I spent hours filling it out and editing my essay. Little did I know, none of my schools were listed. Take my advice and just shift through your list and identify which schools, if any, are on it. If not, identify what kind of applications await you and get a head start.

5. Have one place with all of your information.

My saving grace during the hectic two or so months of applying to schools was something as simple as an Excel sheet. As juvenile as it sounds you need to lay out all the information: university name, deadline, Common App (yes or no), type of application (rolling or not), date decisions are released, etc. If you make all of this available to you in one place, I assure you it will help you remain sane. It is a luxury to have everything you need to know about all of your schools one click away.

Take it from someone who has been in your shoes, these five, seemingly simple, tricks will save you during this crazy time. That being said, remember that this is only a three to four-month time period of your life. Soon you will be overwhelmed with joy stemming from acceptance letters proving that all your hard work has paid off! Remain calm, take it slow, and just know that you will end up at the school where you belong at the end of all the madness.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

178951
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6137
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451730
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22852
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments