I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!! NOT KNOWING IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!!! (Sorry for screaming; I’m soooo stressed!) Does anyone else feel this way? Like, one day, you’re sure you’ll get into your dream school–I mean, your grades and test scores are out of the stratosphere, your essays are stellar and your recommendations are stunning! Why wouldn’t any school want you? But the next day, you’re thinking of how subjective college admissions is and wonder if you’ll get in anywhere but your state school…UGH! This is sooo ridiculous! I wish we could know the second we sent in our application whether or not we got in. I know it wouldn’t be as exciting to open the letter as it would be if we had waited months, but this is CRAZY! If this is what’s so exciting about life, I don’t know what to think. Ok, I have vented. Thank you for listening (reading)!
<p>It is a cruel and unusual punishment, isn't it? I've gone totally to the end of the line with my kids with this process from early apps to waitlist to transfer, and I can tell you that it is tough on the parents too.</p>
<p>I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN. I think I'm going to go INSANE before Harvard EA reply date. Good God... Cruel and unusual punishment sums it up perfectly.</p>
<p>Jamimom...no offense, but right now, your post is cruel and unusual punishment! Lol...as if I weren't stressed enough doing this right now...I get to go through it all over again with my kids? Lol...Thanks for the reality check! That's life!
Modestmouse...totally agree! Same dilemma with Harvard reply date, but I fear that I may actually go insane before November 1...I have yet to send in half of my stuff, and I have no clue why I'm keeping it! I think that it's just the fact that once it's in the mail, there's no turning around. <em>Sigh</em></p>
<p>This is EXACTLY what I go through every day. Right now I'm feeling fairly confident about my chances. Two days ago, I wondered why I even bothered applying.</p>
<p>I'm NEVER going to get my application out on time.</p>
<p>Yeah, it's a real up-and-down thing...some days I'm sure I'll get in (or that I'll have a good shot, anyway), and then other days, I wonder why I'm paying them to reject me. Chalk it up to being stupid teenagers, I guess. Oh well--we're all busy enough to be distracted, right? (I know I am...hehe)</p>
<p>LAgal, elizabeth22:</p>
<p>I TOO have yet to finish my application. God. LOL. Let me tell you, that October 15 priority date...well...it was never gonna happen. I'll be lucky if I meet November 1!</p>
<p>I know exactly what everyone is saying...one day I figure I'm a "shoe in" and the next day I figrue I've got a 50-50 chance, and the next day I'm sure I'll get rejected. Add all the homework, applications, SAT tests, school tests, school projects, and I think I'm going to blow up. Just about 2 more months, and I can sit back and relax. They will be the hardest 2 months of my life... so far!!</p>
<p>Well, school is over for me in about a week. :D Yey me!</p>
<p>Yeah, I hate those feelings. There's nothing I can do except try my best in my app tho.</p>
<p>I totally agree, but looking on the bright side (if there is an end to this dreary tunnel of darkness aka college apps), we (at least where I come from) have a 4 day weekend Nov. 1 weekend.</p>
<p>Ok, this is insane! I only have a half-day of school tomorrow...the only thought going through my mind: "YES! More time for college apps!" RIDICULOUS!</p>
<p>I feel your pain, everyone. I have no idea how kids get all this done for college applications on top of what is a busy life with homework and extracurriculars (the very things colleges expect you to be doing and doing it well). I am a parent and before my older child started this in fall of senior year, I thought how will she ever do it all but it did get done and there is light at the end of the tunnel and it all paid off (try to keep that in mind). As well, I worried what the outcome would be but kept saying that we know she will get in somewhere but just not where (if your list is appropriately balanced, you should be able to make that claim). I now have a second child who is an applicant this fall and same thing again, I wonder how in the world this will all get done with her very full schedule, but it is moving along. </p>
<p>The stress of not knowing if/where you will get in, is definitely unavoidable. With selective schools, there is the unpredicatable element mixed in there too. </p>
<p>While you might wonder about Jamimom's comment, I identify with it as a parent, as well, because we are also stressed over it all because this is basically the one time in our kid's life where we have no control over making it all work out for them, if you know what I mean. It is not in our hands. </p>
<p>But guys.....this is one of those things that does have closure.....two more months you will be done with apps and then come graduation, you will have a great school to go to, not sure which one, but this will be a memory and it will all be good. I have a freshman now who we will go see for the first time this weekend for Parent Weekend and she LOVES it beyond belief and I am SO glad this whole app process is long gone for her. It all paid off. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>My apologies, LAgirl. I certainly did not intend to be callous, and I do feel your pain as I have one applying this year to who is bouncing off walls on what he wants to do. I really wish there were a way to make this whole thing easier and less time consuming for everyone. It is an insane system, isn't it? The consolation is that most kids who are concerned about this are the ones who do pretty well and seem to be happy with what comes down the pike. It seems that anxiety creates that extra edge that makes the process more successful. My son who dragged the whole process out was just way too laid back and was not on the ball about anything which did not help things. </p>
<p>But in many ways, these are exciting times. You will be off to a new life this time next year whereas most of us moms will be doing the "same old, same old". Most kids do love their time in college regardless of where they end up going, and even those who don't find it an improvement over being a highschool kid. Most of you are ready to go out on your own and are chomping at the bit. It isn't so important where you go as the fact that you do go--out and away. Best of luck to you, all of you are applying to colleges this year. Believe me, I am on your side, and have every sympathy for the stresses this process causes.</p>
<p>Jamimom...LOL! I did not take your remark as callous...I think you're definitely right about the consolation. I just wish everything weren't so--I don't even know the word. I don't like sending myself in an envelope for others to judge whether or not I'm good enough...am I making sense? Thank you so much for the luck and sympathy! I really think parents like you are the ones who help us get through this while retaining our sanity. Thank you!</p>