I’m in desperate need of reassurance.

Applying to College
1

So I’m like, SUPER stressed right now. In all honesty, I’m having baby panic attacks.

It’s like I sort of know what I’m doing and at the same time am being thrown into a shark pit covered in chum.

I’ll describe my issues and concerns.

I’m not necessarily sure how all of the process works. As in the application vs transcripts etc, etc.

My school explained it, just not in terms in which I could fully grasp it.

From what I could glean from their explanation, the application is sent out first, and then you request transcripts and send those out- which is really weird, right? Like, I hope I’m not the only one that doesn’t get that.

I’ve been told they get initial transcripts and then final transcripts, etc later on as well.

And if this is how it works, I’m not sure what I should do about individual applications for schools like Butler that have given me priority/very important bulldog status.

They’re shortened and don’t require any of the extensive stuff the normal applications like the CommonApp do. That makes me REALLY anxious! Like, they don’t ask about any of my EC’s etc and I feel like using that application which on the surface level seems more beneficial but deeper down way scarier and more like it’d screw me over.

Which is super concerning as I consider these schools safeties.

I’m also really concerned about improperly reporting something on my application. Shouldn’t schools check that over!? Such as curriculum difficulty, all areas do stuff different and I’m not sure what to report mine as, you know?

Lastly is my essays- I hate all the topics and don’t really know how to approach this. I’ve been told to make it personal yet creative and not too personal that it’s not informal; what am I supposed to do with that?

To sum it up- this is spooky and I could use some help sorting out how to approach all of this.

If anyone can, please give me some feedback, I’d really appreciate it.

2

Take a deep breath.

Yes, you can take advantage of the shorter applications. They will save you a lot of headaches.

As soon as you choose your college list, you can have your high school send your transcripts. You can do that before you send the rest of the stuff. It is OK. The colleges will start files for you and add the rest of the material as it gets there.

You don’t say anything aobut the difficulty of the curriculum. Your guidance counselor indicates that in their letter and in the school profile that gets sent along with the transcripts.

If you hate all of the essay topics, take another look at your application list. Do all of the colleges ask for essays? Is it just some of them? How much do you like those places? If you don’t really care about them, drop them, and only apply ro places that don’t require essays.

3

You are okay. Yes, the schools collect the pieces of the app independently from the different sources, put them together, then review them. Be sure to follow the instructions for each school. You probably are getting portal info for each school after applying (usually you will get an email within about a week of submitting your application). Check your portals regularly—they will usually tell you if something is missing. Be sure to read all the emails from the schools, in case they are asking you for something. You’ve got this. :slight_smile:

If you are applying for financial aid or if the schools have special scholarship applications (some do, some don’t require them), be sure to meet those deadlines.

4

RE essays:

DOn’t pick the topic. Pick some aspects of your life and write a story. Then see which topic it matches.
Google “Hacking the college essay 2017” for many tips on how to do this.