“So, Lily, what’s your number one choice for college,” I casually ask.
Lily replies, “NYU, and you?” I hesitate, “It’s actually NYU, too.”
We have a silent agreement not to discuss this any further and awkwardly part ways.
That scene may seem ridiculously over dramatic, but it is actually a common occurrence in my high school experience at Herricks.
Applicants routinely compare themselves to other students to determine who has a better chance at their desired college. Many top tier colleges will only accept one or two students per year from our high school, and we are all very well aware of that.
Several of my peers will scope out information on their competitors based on rumors, weighing each candidate’s said GPA, standardized test scores, and extracurriculars, and these are only a few of the factors that are considered. Did this person take rigorous classes?
Are they the president of any club? Do they have legacy at the college?
This obsessive mindset is one that I have definitely fallen into, but it worries me severely.
I do think carefully choosing which colleges to apply to is important; it is something you should pay close attention to because you will be spending the next four years there, if not more.
I know, however, that there is a grey area between a healthy amount of stress and where students care almost too much.
Will it really ruin your future if you do not attend your first choice college? Of course not.
I am sure that many students acknowledge that, but it is hard to remember amidst all the college application frenzy.
I think what helps students cope with not getting into their dream colleges is that at least some of it is out of your control, no matter how perfect your Common App or resume is.
To stay in a healthy mindset, students should actively try to take a step back from thinking about college applications all the time.
I find that the days where my friends and I purposefully do not talk about college are the days that I feel a bit more at ease.
Do not open your Common App just to gape at those vicious clocks staring back at you reminding you to apply. Do not get consumed by the extra word in your 250 word limit supplement.
Another tip that students should remember is that the people applying to the same colleges as you are not your enemies.
You should not have a vendetta against someone else just because they got into college over you. You do not even know whether or not you would have gotten in if they had not applied, so you should not blame them for anything.
High school seniors all need to take a backseat from college applications once in a while. It should not be on your mind constantly. We need to prioritize our mental stability over the tedious application process.
