I loved applying to colleges. I really did. I loved visiting schools and fantasizing about getting in. I loved writing the essays (probably because I want to be an author). But I also felt like the essays allowed me to reflect on who I am as a person and express myself.
A lot of my friends tell me that they’re incredibly stressed, but I think that applying to college is a joyous moment in life. I enjoy interviewing and meeting with alumni and whatnot.
What do you think? Were you stressed out? Did you have fun?
It’s not a pleasant process. You have to find time in your already overloaded schedule to do extensive research on each college. Some of the reflection type essays were OK, but the ones that ask why you like a specific school are just terrible to write. It was a relief each time I had a complete application.
I think if I applied without hearing the opinions and panic attacks of everyone else, it would have been a lot more fun!! I had a solid list of schools I wanted to apply to when I started my senior year, and I felt happy with my decisions. However, everyone has their opinion of where they want you to go, and in the panic of it all I applied to schools I wouldn’t even want to go to if I was accepted (I’m looking at you, Fordham and UC San Diego). As long as you focus on yourself and your goals (while being realistic, of course), applying can be exciting.
I was overloaded and fatigued, but it was fun for me too. Although I was stressed and felt like I had soooo much to do during the semester on top of my AP and honors classes and ECs, it was fun and gratifying to finally be at the stage I had worked basically my whole life for. As it was for you, it was fun for me to fantasize and dream about acceptances and the college life (and finally moving out).
I think my D has enjoyed the process over all. She started early, had a lot of structure (her GC set deadlines for her essays, etc). It gave her a chance to think about her accomplishments, and put forth her best effort on achieving a goal. An early acceptance at one of her top schools really helped to reduce the stress quite a bit, thankfully.
Edit: Looking at your other threads OP it doesn’t seem like you particularly enjoyed the writing process either.
You started over 20 threads asking people to look over what you’d written.
You also started a thread titled “TIME MANAGEMENT ADVICE PLEASE?” So yeah I mean I struggle with time management too, but it comes across a little disingenuous to be saying you weren’t stressed.
Your question is unanswerable. For some it is. For many, it’s not. Certainly there exist stressful elements. Many moons ago, I got in early notification to a wonderful school. Then casually applied to a bunch of reaches w/o any expectation and little associated worry. Ended up matriculating at one of those – but stress wasn’t part of my journey. I see my oldest and there’s stress involved b/c she’s an athlete and intending on a very tough major – for her, it’s about balancing the right team environment that will support her in her academics. Still waiting to hear from one college. Some of the stress has abated b/c she knows she has a great school home even in her worse case scenario. Now it’s just a matter of waiting to see what the entirety of options (accepts, team choice, fin aid, etc.) and making that decision.
@slights32 I corrected the time management thing with lots of practice.
But anyway, I did like the writing process. And of course I want other people to look over what I’ve written. It’s good to have multiple opinions on your essays. It was helpful to me and it lets you know what works and what doesn’t. It doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it.
