<p>Network news program is looking into a story about the challenges and stress of students and parents who are applying early decision. If you are interested in possibly being interviewed on camera and sharing your story, please post on this thread or respond by Private Message.</p>
<p>My Daughter is applying ED and yes it is stressful for both her and I. </p>
<p>Same here</p>
<p>So far it’s much less stressful for my kid applying ED, than for his two sibs who went RD. With RD, you have to develop a big list, visit a bunch of places that blur together and begin to look all the same. Plus the seemingly endless waiting until the Spring, and then the stress, one can hope, of making a choice among several possible schools. With ED, only one application to get in, and if it’s an acceptance it’s wonderfully one and done. And let the senioritis begin. Arguably more stressful for the parent who has to finish the finaid material–particular the uber-intrusive CSS Profile–earlier than ever before.</p>
<p>Of course, if the ED doesn’t pan out, you’re risking more stress, moving past the disappointment and scrambling to get in a mess of applications with only a couple of weeks to go before the RD deadline. And you know you might have missed out on some merit aid priority application deadlines. </p>
<p>But if the ED does work, you might have to deal with the cognitive dissonance of buyer’s remorse. I’ll be happy to have that be our worst problem.</p>
<p>What TV program is it? I’ve been through in life, so I really hope I’d get into my dream school. I am applying Early Decision to Ivy League.</p>
<p>Me. I’m applying ED </p>
<p>I’d love to do this next year, when I will apply ED to CMC.</p>
<p>I would definitely be open for talking about my stress while applying ED!</p>
<p>I would be willing to talk about it, but I have no desire to be on TV.</p>
<p>Would love to. I applied ED to Northwestern University.</p>
<p>Just be warned that interviews with the media almost NEVER come out as expected, and that NOTHING positive for the student comes out. Just read some older stories about people who could not resist the fifteen seconds of fame. </p>
<p>If you participate ask for the right to “edit” and you will figure out why nobody should participate. </p>
<p>FWIW, my son had a classmate who had a newspaper article written about him, and his college essay was published. Luckily, the classmate is already accepted where he is going, so it won’t affect that, but still it is pretty embarrassing at school and comes off as pandering.</p>
<p>I was contacted by a wonderful reporter for the Wall Street Journal a number of years ago. She did so through this site…back when you could send emails from the user profile. She was great, and we did several phone interviews and a few emails back and forth. Actually, did this for two separate articles. She quoted me in her articles, and was very accurate. </p>
<p>This is for a TV interview. If someone is chosen to do this, they need to be able to think quickly on their feet. And be able to think before they speak!</p>
<p>Part of the stress is in deciding whether or not to apply ED and feeling pressure to do so for a potential better chance at admission. I hope they address that aspect as well.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure my daughter would never speak to me again if I went on TV and talked about her college admissions process. </p>
<p>It’s been years since my kids went through the process, but knowing that you have been admitted before the end of the calendar year is a lot less stressful than sweating all the way through the end of March. (Applying to a “rolling admission” school can often get an answer in early fall, a HUGE stress reducer.) </p>
<p>Applying ED does introduce a different kind of stress, since it involves making a commitment without knowing all the available options. I.e., if my first and second choice schools aren’t too likely to accept me ED, should I commit to my #3 choice and go ED to increase my odds of getting in?</p>
<p>I have two kids, one went horribly wrong and one went very well. I don’t know if I would want to go on TV to talk about the one that went badly, especially if it is going to be aired before the decision is out. It was bad enough her whole school knew where she was applying ED and they all expected to get in, but to put it on TV for everyone to see…</p>
<p>I still think that everything about college applications should be kept private, safe and except for the parents of the applicants. Let’s face it … people are usually cynical, prone to scrutinize or criticize, or deride. Successful application generate envy a lot more than honest kudos. Lack of success generate … the I told you so! Accordinfly, why does anyone find it appealing to place him or herself on a pedestal for everyone to look at or take … swings? </p>
<p>Think I am overly cynical? Just look in your own community in April when second-guessing is omnipresent. How many time have you heard a mildly offensive comment regarding the success of a URM or minority? </p>
<p>How many threads have there been here about similar “questioning” or threads about the stories that appeared in the newspapers? The usual “defense” is that the media edited the story and left out many of the “good things.” Duh, the media feasts on sensationalism a lot more they do about facts. </p>
<p>As far as the story itself … what is there to learn about stress during college application that has not been covered in great details? For some it does add to the stress and for others the opposite is just true. In the end, everything about college application is about an individual story. As Oldfort wrote, two children from the same family might have vastly different experiences. Does that mean that the parents or the schools (or the students) made lots of mistakes? I do not think so, and if something could be learned, it will still apply to the same person. </p>
<p>My conclusion is pretty simple. When the press comes knocking at your door to cover one being val or having great success in sports or academics, the BEST answer is to politely decline. The fifteen seconds of fame are not worth the scrutiny. </p>
<p>It is both stressful and exciting. My son is now experiencing that.</p>
<p>We would be interested – Very stressful because all applications still need to be done before ED decision comes out. ED comes out Dec. 15 and several apps with 3 essays each are due Jan. 1. So this means all apps and essays have to be done, despite ED. Should have earlier notice. D has about 12 essays to do in total.</p>