Anybody else applying to college? Does it scare you too?

[randomguy]

Yeah, so I'm knee-deep in the college application process, and I have to say, it's seriously bothering me. On top of all my other various duties, the college admissions process is such a leech of my time and energy that I'm finding myself feeling more and more weary every day. College is important, and I'm well-aware of that, and it's starting to eat at me. It doesn't help that my parents bring it up every 45 seconds that we're together.

Anybody else going through the college process? Is it giving you trouble? And, if you've been there before, do you have any advice? I need some catharsis...

[The_NewCatwoman]

I'm scared witless. I'm worried about what I'd do if I don't get in. I'm worried about truly leaving home and starting my own life. I'm worried about failing. And it doesn't help that my mother keeps saying things like: "This time next year you'll be gone."

Ahhhhh!

tNC

[Shnay]

I'll give you my story, although I don't know how much it'll help.

In my senior year, I pretty much put college in the back of my mind. Everyone around me kept talking about where they were in the application process, and would ask me how my college search was going. I'd tell them that I "had a couple in mind," although that was a stretch to say the least. I had done no reasearch, and only a bit of thinking about which colleges I wanted to attend. I had visited a few the previous summer, but still didn't have any leanings to any particular school. Basically, I was at square one in the middle of the year.

One day, I told a few people who had (surprisingly) brought up the topic of college that I would start applications soon. They all gave me shocked looks and told me how quickly deadlines were approaching. Somewhere in my mind, I had suspected this. My mom continually bugged me (all in my best interest, but I had trouble appreciating it at the time) and I was aware of what other kids were doing...and yet, I just didn't get to work on any of it.

It was then that I knew I really had to start. I knew how important it is to go to college, and I was sure that college was the best path for me (even if it wasn't the one I most wanted to take). But, even knowing all this, I still took an apathetic approach in the application process. I applied to three schools, and I knew I could get in to all three of them. Other schools, even ones I was really interested in, I didn't get around to completing the application for.

I got the few applications done at the last minute, and the people around me weren't very satisfied (rightfully so) with the job I had done. Still, I got into all three, and even got offered a $10,000 a year scholarship to one of them.

Eventually, I made my decision out of these three. Actaully, I chose the school that I initially knew the least about (in fact, I only applied because the application was really easy). My family and I were both very happy with this choice, even though I think we all wondered what "could have been" if I had applied myself in....applying (actually, I haven't been "applying myself" since sixth grade...but that's another story).

I've now spent a little over a month at my school of choice, and you know what? I love it. I wouldn't want to go anywhere else now.

I kept telling everyone who would talk to me about applying to college that education is what you make of it. You might have to work a bit harder in some schools to receive a "quality" education than others, but for the most part, they all offer knowledge, and it's up to you to seek it out.

So, the moral of this rambling story is that you'll likely be happy and do well no matter where you go. Yes, college is important, but don't let an essay on "What's the book that has most shaped your life" get you stressed. Enjoy senior year, enjoy the prospect of college, and do what you think is best.

Best of luck, man. Keep us updated.

[Bubblegum Girl]

I'm not scared because I'm applying at the Art Institute.

[Barb Gordon]

You really just need to take breather and relax. I kept freaking out over mine, and even worse, procrastinating like heck about them. I didn't want to have to write an essay at all, and was thrilled to apply to the school's that didn't need one, or the SAT II's. But I finally sat down and just looked at what they were asking me to write. My teacher's had gone over the questions time and again, how best to write the essay and what to and what not to write about. I just wrote what I thought, personal and all that, and it was a great essay. In fact, the school I did that for wasn't even my main choice, though it was the best of the schools I was looking over. I got accepted no problem and they even mentioned liking my essay My mom really helped keep me on track in getting my applications in and writing those stupid essays. If you're feeling freaked out, that's perfectly natural. Try talking with a teacher or your mom or dad. They'll help out for sure. Yes, you may get rejected by some schools, that sucks, but that happens....but then obviously they weren't right for you anyway! It's not like you wont get accepted to any of them, though students always fret over that. Just take a deep breath, relax for a bit and then go at the applications again. It always seems worse and looks worse than it is. Once you get those darned things mailed off, you'll feel much better. Good Luck!

~Barb

[ZorBrak]

Well realizing how much I've aged is a bit shocking sometimes, but scarey? Nah. not really. Do you know how old I was when I started ranting at WB to make BTAS DVDs here on TZ? 15. THAT'S AMAZING. I can't believe I've known some of my online friends so long. It's really cool to think about it. (funny to notice WB has STILL not gotten on the ball with those DVDs! lol, hopefully that SET IS COMING...least space ghost is! eee brak and zorak!). But back then my life was BAD. I was fat, ugly, and well it sucked. It's hard to believe that was even the same life I'm living now. I try not to remember it, only look ahead and keep my sights set on success. I always hated my life here until recently...it can only get better from here. I've overcome so much in my once miserable life...it all leads to this point. My arms are open and I'm just gonna take that leap....hope I land in a pot of gold .

[Crystalfox0]

I'm going through the college jitters too. I've started getting all of the info and I've visited some of the schools that I'm looking at. My problem is that I don't know what I want to do with life, which is making choosing any school difficult. I really don't want to pick a college that specializes in one thing just to find out that I hate it. The only one that is pestering me about making a choise is my grandpa, and I find that totally reasonable considering that he is the one who is paying for my college education.

[Conekiller]

I'm graduating college in December, THAT scares me

[Roger Smith]

My Mom always tell me something
if you wanna live in the home while you study make money so we can eat better (we eat decently meat all days)

[Tanooki]

at first i was scared because i didn't know anybody, then i was scared because i didn't know what i wanted to major in. now, all of that is over with and i'm sitting in front of my computer in my underwear, munching away of cold pizza. mmm...

Falcon