I think I am going to have a panic attack

[Anonymous]

I am finding this so stressful. Dd has submitted no applications. She has done everything she could including supplemental essays, but she is getting contradicting info from two counselors and the common app is so confusing to me in terms of how to submit everything. She is also waiting for letters of recommendations (she asked as soon as school started) Deadlines are coming and I wake up at night with cold sweats. Why am I so stupid and why can't we figure all of this out? I was really hoping dd would solve all this today and it's yet another no-progress day.

[Anonymous]

Take some deep breaths and maybe a walk around the block. Then divide the things to do up into manageable tasks. One thing at a time. If something is out of your control, don't worry about it too much. All will be well.

[Anonymous]

If she's done everything on her end, she can go ahead and pay the fee to apply.

Counselors continue to upload LORs as they are received. So, if it will relieve everyone's stress, don't wait for them.

[Anonymous]

She can submit before recommenders. I wouldn't let that hold her back.

Is the question school specific? If not, why not share and see if people can help. The process is stressful but it is not confusing. But some things are school specific.

Also, it is still early!

[Anonymous]

Pull yourself together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She can submit before recommenders. I wouldn't let that hold her back.

Is the question school specific? If not, why not share and see if people can help. The process is stressful but it is not confusing. But some things are school specific.

Also, it is still early!

It's not early because the deadline is October 15! And this counselor is saying she needs a rec, but I know she does not because the college literally states that they do not consider letters of recommendations. Dd cannot seem to figure out how to submit without the rec in the common app because she added the rec. Her friend submitted without, that section was not there and it was a non-issue. Under her counselor's recommendation it says "not started", and above that "school report: not started", but the school let's you self-report and she filled all of this out. I am extremely confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she's done everything on her end, she can go ahead and pay the fee to apply.

Counselors continue to upload LORs as they are received. So, if it will relieve everyone's stress, don't wait for them.

But the school does not accept or consider letters. So I don't understand why that section is there, showing as "not started" for that specific school since they will not consider the letter. It doesn't make sense. And I am positive it is not needed because her friend's screen was different for the same college and did not show that section at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take some deep breaths and maybe a walk around the block. Then divide the things to do up into manageable tasks. One thing at a time. If something is out of your control, don't worry about it too much. All will be well.

We tried to do this this weekend: She wrote all her supplementals. I could breathe a little and told myself this is it, we're ready, all she needs is to show the counselor. And then the counselor told her no, you are not done, I still need to write the letter. I know this is incorrect. I am very frustrated right now and feel so lost about the process. I feel like we are doing everything wrong and she won't get in anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pull yourself together.

this.

[Anonymous]

OP, can your daughter sit with the friend and compare screens? Can she call admissions/local rep with a "quick question"?

My kid had an issue like this that was throwing things off and it turned out he had clicked somewhere that he WAS submitting something that was not required. When he asked the admissions person guessed the problem right away. It probably has a simple solution.

[Anonymous]

my DD has been helping everyone with their common app at school.

Have her ask a friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, can your daughter sit with the friend and compare screens? Can she call admissions/local rep with a "quick question"?

My kid had an issue like this that was throwing things off and it turned out he had clicked somewhere that he WAS submitting something that was not required. When he asked the admissions person guessed the problem right away. It probably has a simple solution.

She did sit and compare and they were not the same. So she went to counselor today who told her the wrong answer, that she MUST fill this out. We know it can't be right but dd could not exactly tell the counselor she was wrong! So yes, she can maybe call later when she gets back from school but it's really more of a common app question that a school question because we know the school does not require the letter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pull yourself together.

this.

I am physically sitting at my desk normally, doing all my work and home everything and errands and Homecoming stuff and college stuff normally. I am an internal WRECK and barely sleeping. It is horrible. I just want to be done with this. I would LOVE to "pull myself together" and not worry.

[Anonymous]

Cant you have your daughter make an appointment with the counselor for help?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am finding this so stressful. Dd has submitted no applications. She has done everything she could including supplemental essays, but she is getting contradicting info from two counselors and the common app is so confusing to me in terms of how to submit everything. She is also waiting for letters of recommendations (she asked as soon as school started) Deadlines are coming and I wake up at night with cold sweats. Why am I so stupid and why can't we figure all of this out? I was really hoping dd would solve all this today and it's yet another no-progress day.

I feel you- I am starting to lose sleep. My DD is so checked out yet claims she cares were she goes. My DS was totally on top of it. I am starting to lose steam with her because I can't make her care and like you find the whole process exhausting and confusing. Hang in there!