Application season primal scream

[Anonymous]

For most of my kid's life, I think I've been a distinctly chill parent. But this process has made me feel like a helicopter parent at times, and I've had to constantly remind myself that this is my son's process and that I'm just here for support and occasional advice when requested. I honestly wish I cared less about this than I do.

The best thing about ED will not be admission to a first-choice school; it'll be the relief that the admissions effort and uncertainty will not continue for another four months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s so so painful.

Why don’t people really explain this to us. Almost like childbirth.

The mental toll is unfathomable if you haven’t gone through it.

I underestimated the number of essays and short responses. Holy f@“k! Everyone goes on and on about the common app essay—but then you get in the process and realize so many schools have 3-5 additional short essays, long essay, prompts, short answers, etc. and many are too different to adapt from other essays.

Exactly. And our kids’ private is basically encouraging applying widely if ED does not go well. Very very very widely.
12 apps in and they said send 8 more at least after mid-Dec…

Which means a lot more stupid essays in the next four weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For most of my kid's life, I think I've been a distinctly chill parent. But this process has made me feel like a helicopter parent at times, and I've had to constantly remind myself that this is my son's process and that I'm just here for support and occasional advice when requested. I honestly wish I cared less about this than I do.

The best thing about ED will not be admission to a first-choice school; it'll be the relief that the admissions effort and uncertainty will not continue for another four months.

Agree. Anecdotally I know so many people’s kids whose final choice was not settled until last May because of waitlist movement at higher ranked schools.

That is frightening to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s so so painful.

Why don’t people really explain this to us. Almost like childbirth.

The mental toll is unfathomable if you haven’t gone through it.

I underestimated the number of essays and short responses. Holy f@“k! Everyone goes on and on about the common app essay—but then you get in the process and realize so many schools have 3-5 additional short essays, long essay, prompts, short answers, etc. and many are too different to adapt from other essays.

Exactly. And our kids’ private is basically encouraging applying widely if ED does not go well. Very very very widely.
12 apps in and they said send 8 more at least after mid-Dec…

Which means a lot more stupid essays in the next four weeks.

20 apps?!?
At a private?

[Anonymous]

My primal scream goes...

SSSSSSSSRRRRRRRAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!

Spent part of today worrying about conflicting submission timing information re: an SRAR (self-reported transcript) submission. My son made it Wednesday at 12:30 AM and it was required to be fully registered in a portal today for scholarship consideration. Submitting is not enough...there is some sort of IT handshake on the back end that varies across participating schools, rendering the basic instructions and timing estimates on the common portal unintelligible.

Turns out my son probably should have factored in several days more lead time....or actually have done things totally differently and finished this app in August, LOL.

It uploaded sometime between lunchtime and end of workday, leaving at least 8 hours to spare. Relieved but also still mad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s so so painful.

Why don’t people really explain this to us. Almost like childbirth.

The mental toll is unfathomable if you haven’t gone through it.

I underestimated the number of essays and short responses. Holy f@“k! Everyone goes on and on about the common app essay—but then you get in the process and realize so many schools have 3-5 additional short essays, long essay, prompts, short answers, etc. and many are too different to adapt from other essays.

Exactly. And our kids’ private is basically encouraging applying widely if ED does not go well. Very very very widely.
12 apps in and they said send 8 more at least after mid-Dec…

Which means a lot more stupid essays in the next four weeks.

20 apps?!?
At a private?

really? what kind of private? what happens to the kids ranked under 75% in the class or so if everyone does this?

[Anonymous]

How are your kids balancing this with school workload, dang!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are your kids balancing this with school workload, dang!

The moms are doing it all…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s so so painful.

Why don’t people really explain this to us. Almost like childbirth.

The mental toll is unfathomable if you haven’t gone through it.

I underestimated the number of essays and short responses. Holy f@“k! Everyone goes on and on about the common app essay—but then you get in the process and realize so many schools have 3-5 additional short essays, long essay, prompts, short answers, etc. and many are too different to adapt from other essays.

Exactly. And our kids’ private is basically encouraging applying widely if ED does not go well. Very very very widely.
12 apps in and they said send 8 more at least after mid-Dec…

Which means a lot more stupid essays in the next four weeks.

20 apps?!?
At a private?

Our private saying it’s going to be a tough year….
So apply to 15-20

[Anonymous]

I hate this whole thing. My kid has applied to 8 schools including an ED school. If she doesn’t get in ED, I don’t think she will be motivated to complete additional RD apps even though there were additional schools she visited and liked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:((hug))

You are not alone and in my book what you are feeling is completely normal. I silently screamed my head off 2 years ago.
Once the last submission deadline passes it be easier.

Soon you will be able to smile again. And yes, it all does work out in the end.

Not true unless accepted ED.The slow drip of random results will continue until late January possibly February. Then there’s the agony of waitlists, scholarships etc. There will be a whirlwind oof emotions until the last acceptance deadline passes. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This will 100% be me next year! I'm dreading it already. My junior has no interest looking at colleges and no opinions on where he wants to go.

Same here. I’ve been through this once before, though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This will 100% be me next year! I'm dreading it already. My junior has no interest looking at colleges and no opinions on where he wants to go.

My sophomore has had a list since freshman year. I am not at al worried about how things will go in her senior year. She's a perfectionist and a check the box person. I need this after dealing with my very disorganized older son who just graduated from college and was extremely difficult to motivate through the process. Sorry PP--you will get through it!

[Anonymous]

I feel all of this right now.

[Anonymous]

I’m trying not to scream. I’ve already burst too many blood vessels in my face and my eyes are twitching.