hello everyone.
I’m considered a “top student” - my scores, class load, and extracurriculars all qualify me for the best schools in the nation. However, it seems like everything that could have gone wrong in my life in the past couple months did, and I’ve been in a state of depression since. As a result, I’ve felt no motivation whatsoever to do schoolwork, let alone applications, even though this is everything I’ve been preparing for.
As of now, I have teacher recommendations and transcripts and most of the common app itself filled out. I have yet to send test scores (is this as bad as I think it is? I’m panicking) and I don’t know if I’m missing any other vital, time sensitive component.
But my main concern is if it’s possible to put together a great application within a week. I don’t want 3 years of work to go to waste just because of circumstance.
How do I start? What do I do?? Please be kind. thank you all. happy holidays.
Where are your parents?
hi, 8bagels. not everyone has the resources you may have. please be respectful in the future.
First, decide if you want to. You don’t have to. You can do gap year and put your efforts in next year.
If you are just now deciding that you do, if you have all the recs from teachers and GC and mid term grades showing in, then yes, more than possible!
Order scores asap. It can take time to get there.
Have you picked schools yet? If so, weed out if you think now too many, esp if there are numerous supp essays.
Apply first to all that require no supplementals. Make sure you have one or two of these!
Limit yourself to one safety and do it well.
Focus mainly on match schools, as this is the highest chance of a good result here.
Start that common app essay NOW! During breaks, answer the easy essays (short) and Qs in your supplements!
How is asking to consult your parents being disrespectful?
You need to contact some adult in your life and get counseling. You need to deal with your depression more than applying to colleges.
Wasn’t meant to be disrespectful. What’s the situation with your parent(s) or guardian(s)? That, if possible, would be the first place to turn to for help.
Tom - I had interpreted it as an attack on the people in my life for not pushing me to apply sooner. Forgive me, I’m used to this website being a little bit critical. It didn’t occur to me they were interested in my health. If so, I apologize, and I thank you both. But with a week left, I have to force myself to do this rather than putting myself personal needs first.
HRSMom - Thank you so much for the advice!!
8bagels - It’s the classic immigrant story. They don’t know how colleges work, nor do they believe in mental illness, nor do they speak English well. What I’m really focused on right now is the application rather than my personal life, though. Thank you for the concern, and I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.
They totally care. You should talk to them even if you wait until the new year. I understand you may not want to do that during the holiday.
If it is your decision to finish this, then do so. PM me if you need a sounding board or to read your essay.
HRSMom - thank you so, so much. That means the world to me. You’re unbelievably kind.
I am in the same place as you, maybe not with the exact circumstances but with the application progress, and wanted to comment just to let you know you’re not alone! It is definitely not impossible to complete great applications in a week.
Your scores will take a little while to arrive, but as long as the rest of your app is submitted that is generally okay. Recs can be a bit late, too. Start with a couple of safeties with easy or no supplements, then matches, reaches if you have time at the end. Run your list by us, we may be able to save you time by making sure your list makes sense.
@lalabound That is good to hear!! Best of luck to you too!
@intparent That’s reassuring!
I have no safety schools on common app, as I already applied to a lot of public schools a month ago and those applications encompassed all of my safeties.
I’m basing this list off of my scores and GPA:
Reach schools-
Brown
Yale
Carnegie Mellon
Target-
Boston
Northeastern
USC
RISD
I think you should go for it, but don’t panic. You’ve already applied to safety schools, and you can always take a gap year if you believe the time isn’t right. Personally, I’m right there with you. Putting the app itself together won’t be difficult - what you’ve done so far is what you’ve done, now you just put it down. The one thing you need to just sit down and do is the essays. Just sit and write what comes to mind, edit later. It’s hard enough to start without trying to make every sentence sound perfect, after all. Just get over with the hard part - starting - and it should be fine.
I’d also like to point out that this isn’t the last set of deadlines in the planet. If in a month or so you think it didn’t go well, look into europe! I know this is a little foreign for american applicants because of the distance, but they have american style and english language unis, and their deadlines are usually later in the year, many have rolling amissions - AU Paris comes to mind (i was looking into it myself before the whole isse with terrorism made my parents call it a no-no). Plus it has less of a car culture (public transport freedom, yay!) and it is very difficult that they cost as much as some american ones (most i looked into myself cost less, but its a case by case basis). Plus you can always apply for transfer to a uni back in the US later. If you need anyone to stress with or to motivate you, feel free to message me 
i understand all too well the last minute app stress
Are the public schools you applied to all affordable? Did you get your scores off to them already?
@patrickisastar Thanks for the advice and reassurance!! I wasn’t thinking about Europe, but that’s a good idea. Thank you!
@intparent Yes to both. I figured if I have to go to a safety school, I wouldn’t go to an out-of-state expensive private school anyway, so there was no point in applying to any safety privates.
Have you run net price calculators (on each school website on the financial aid page) to make sure your list is affordable? There may be some more schools that meet need that are solid matches for you if you are a top student (if you are eligible for need based aid). They can be as affordable as in state schools, depending on the school.
Northeastern: No supp essay! yay!
@intparent I haven’t; I figured I’m at the point where I should really just focus on the application because I’m so behind and just worry about the rest later. But that’s a good idea in terms of finding some more matches and safeties (given they don’t have their own extraneous essay) so I’ll definitely do that. Thank you!
@HRSMom thank god!!
That honestly should have been your first step in the whole search process. There is no point in applying to unaffordable schools.