I'm overwhelmed by the college application process!

Applying to College
1

<p>This summer I spent a lot of time touring different campuses and figuring out where I wanted to go. When school started I thought I had a solid idea of where I wanted to apply. Now I'm really not sure anymore. </p>

<p>I'm in the habit of over researching everything and preparing myself for even the most unlikely scenarios. Because it is time to fill out applications and start sending them in, I've been really questioning what I want out of a school, and the questioning leads to confusion, and the confusion leads to me being overwhelmed by everything.</p>

<p>I recently decided that I want to go to school in a more urban area, but the majority of the colleges I've been looking at are suburban or in smaller towns. My parents are really against me going to school in a city even though I think it's what I really want. The conflict there only adds to the confusion. </p>

<p>I am overwhelmed by the need to get into a prestigious, well known school. I feel that without a good undergraduate education at a well-known institution I am never going to get into a prestigious graduate program, and from there I will not be able to follow my desired career path. I want to get into a college that at least sets me up with the connections and rank to at least give me the chance of acception to an Ivy graduate program.</p>

<p>It also seems like the entire college application process is very Ivy-centric. My test scores and GPA put me right on the border between possible Ivy student and everyone else. Especially on here, every other post is about whether or not someone or their kid can get into Yale, Brown, etc. I know the Ivies aren't everything, but the focus on them makes me feel so stupid for not even applying, or even having the slightest chance at getting accepted. </p>

<p>Another thing that stresses me out considerably is finances. Even if I find a school I love and I'm accepted, there's the possibility I will not be able to afford it. I don't want to go to a state school, but I might end up having to because of financial reasons. I have this overwhelming feeling that I am being cheated of a good education despite my abilities just because of money. </p>

<p>My biggest fear overall is that the choices I make in these upcoming weeks, during my application process, will affect every single aspect of my life after high school, including what careers and graduate schools are open to me. I am most afraid of limiting my choices to a point of no return, where I'll be stuck in an unhappy state of mind for the rest of my life. I just want to be successful and intelligent, and I have no idea what to do to reach that end goal.</p>

2

<p>These next three months represent 0.3% of your entire life. From someone who’s “been there, done that” (applying ot and graduating from a so-called “prestigious” college), your fear is real, but ultimately mis-placed. You’ll be fine. Think of 4 or 5 people you admire. Was their trajectory a mirror image of the path you seem to have chained yourself to? Likely not. This time next year, you’ll be laughing at yourself for being so freaked at this point. It gets better – but the key is not to wait for anything. </p>

<p>Be determined to have the BEST senior year possible. I asked out all the girls who intimidated me. I went to baseball games w/my buddies if HW wasn’t too bad. I DOVE into my classes with one of the hardest schedules in the history of my HS and determined to finally get a 4.0 for both semesters (and I did it). I didn’t stress about college – what was to be was to be. I had a ball. I hope you can as well. </p>