Though every senior’s college timeline varies, applying anywhere from early October to mid-January, and hearing back anywhere between November and April, most seniors wait months for that thick, cream envelope… or the thin, sad one. From Early Action to Regular Decision, the months between sending in an application and hearing a reply can be painful, and often that pain is only heightened by the possibility of rejection. However, other than knowing what the typical senior experience is like, (and maybe giving any seniors around a break and some ice cream, just an idea), there are ways to cope with the anticipation and possible rejection lurking in the springtime season of college admissions.
Jack Lee and Alex Wang, two seniors and AP Lit students, share their college timelines. “For me, I applied early to a few schools,” Lee shares. “And then I was planning on attempting to apply regular decision as well. But I had gotten into a school that I was satisfied with in early action.” Though this may seem the ideal path, applying and hearing back early from a satisfying college before filling out needless applications, it’s not always that simple. Even when he heard back, Lee was still uncertain if that was the right path for his future, and many others were too.
In the case of Wang, who applied mostly Regular Decision, he didn’t get any results back early and is still waiting on a lot of them. For his journey, he explained, “when I turned [my applications] in, of course, I was pretty relieved, but there’s always that uncertainty of knowing, you know, was what I’ve been building for like these past couple years worth it? Will I be able to flourish, right?” He continues, “I think that’s what a lot of people worry about, over their high school career, did they do enough?”
Though these worries are founded in the competition for college admission, once applications are in, they’re in. For seniors still worrying about not doing enough during their time in high school, it’s important to remember that it’s not something they can change at this stage. The past three years of high school are behind them, and so is the application process, by March. As Wang acknowledges, “there’s a lot of factors outside of my control.” Though trying not to worry over impending decisions is difficult, remembering that seniors have done all they can is always a needed reminder.
In conclusion, students need to remain calm and patient as the college application process unfolds. The waiting period can be incredibly stressful, but it’s important to remember that each individual’s journey is unique. Whether they end up at their dream school or somewhere unexpected, the right college will provide the opportunities and environment that best suit their needs. Embracing this uncertainty allows students to trust the process and find comfort in knowing that wherever they land will be the right fit for them.
