Common App season is in full swing, and students at New Hartford Senior High School are really getting hit. Application deadlines are a major concern for the majority of senior students, as most are looking out to find their new home for the next two-four years.
Applying to colleges can be very stressful for everyone, as they have to tackle applications on top of school, extracurriculars, work, and social lives. Managing one’s time wisely can be a struggle, but some current seniors shared their thoughts and tips on the process.
“It’s very nerve wracking,” senior Mori Reichenbach noted. Mori explained she didn’t think the actual process was overly difficult, most of it just being “basic information about yourself,” but the long list of questions can come off as overwhelming.
Mori recommended that one of the best things students can do for themselves is to plan in advance and get a head start. She herself started early–she’s been working on her personal essay since June.
“Even though it’s basic, I think starting early can be so helpful, because it just really relieves the last minute stresses,” Mori said.
Fellow senior Sarah Win agreed, describing the process to be stressful. “It depends on the amount of colleges you’re applying to,” she remarked. Sarah herself is applying to nine schools, so undoubtedly she has a lot on her plate.
Having a bunch of deadlines, supplementals, and questions to answer can definitely be challenging, but it can be managed. “Don’t overthink everything, take things slow and really think about how you want to approach things before you start,” Sarah says. She emphasized the need for balance, saying “you should definitely focus on it, but also take some time for yourself and just relax.”
Similarly to both Mori and Sarah, senior Ava Lakeman agreed that this time of year is incredibly taxing for seniors.
“All of us are feeling that pressure right now,” Ava said. “It seems stressful now, but I think once the fall season comes to an end and a majority of deadlines are met a lot of that stress will be relieved.”
Tackling all this information can be overwhelming, but knowing the deadlines and staying on top of the information can be incredibly helpful. Naviance can be a very useful tool for things such as teacher recommendations and information about when all the personal information is needed. Talking to your counselor can also be very helpful in the process.
For Early Action applications, schools can vary in deadlines. However, a common date is November 15th, whilst Rolling Actions have their due dates set for more into the winter, often into late December/early January. SUNY schools also offer a free admissions week, from Monday, October 21st to Sunday, November 3rd.
These first few months of senior year can be completely mind-boggling, but just taking a deep breath, getting the information and deadlines in order, and just keeping a healthy balance can really benefit students during this time.
