For some mysterious reason, many college applications are due on November 1st, the day after Halloween. So, while carefully planning costumes, parties, and maybe some mayhem, some zombie seniors are also clicking “submit” on their ED and EA applications.
Sometimes my students have a hard time with this final, decisive step. For years, they’ve been searching their crystal balls, searching for the best fit colleges. For months, they’ve been writing and re-writing their essays, and for several weeks they’ve been finalizing supplements, working hard in class, leading their clubs and teams, and doing everything they can to maximize their chances at their favorite colleges. Sometimes, it’s hard to let go of this ghost who has been lurking beside you for the past few years.
Here are some tips for overcoming the heebie-jeebies when clicking submit:
- Don’t show your essay to too many people; you’re bound to get conflicting and confusing feedback. Choose 2-3 trusted and experienced people: your McMillan consultant, your school counselor, and maybe an English teacher. Beware the goblins who think they know everything about writing but aren’t actual experts in college essays.
- Like an artist deciding when a painting is finished, you have to put down the brush eventually. As the clock ticks closer to November 1 (or January 1 for regular decision applications), you have to stop workshopping and questioning every word of your essay and supplements. Once you and one of your trusted advisors agrees it’s done, it’s done. Walk away from the Ouija board.
- Use the pdf function of the Common App to proofread your application (under Review and Submit). Send it to a trusted advisor to proofread. Once you decide there are no mistakes, it’s done. No more hocus pocus.
- No offense to you or your friends, but don’t listen to any ‘advice’ given to you by a fellow high school student, especially in the days preceding a deadline. Bad advice can derail weeks and months of careful planning. I’ve heard some ridiculous ‘tips’ from ‘friends’ that are completely untrue. Don’t listen to distracting misinformation when you need to focus. Don’t let bad spells bewitch you!
- Finally, if you’ve worked carefully alongside your McMillan consultant and proofread everything carefully, then you’re ready to submit. Don’t let the little demons of anxiety try to convince you otherwise.
You’re worked diligently, and now you must trust the process, trust your decisions, and rely on the guidance of your consultant. Submit by your deadline, wave your magic wand, and all the spooky ghouls and gremlins will go poof! and vanish!
