Although public opinion is that senior year of high school is a breeze, this is largely a misconception.  Between taking the SAT’s and ACT’s for the final time, the workload from AP classes to strengthen resumes, and extracurricular activities, senior year is far from a walk in the park.  Still, all of this work takes a back seat to what all seniors dread the most: college applications.

Every year, thousands of 17 and 18 year-olds across the country share the pain of having to find a place to spend the next four years of life and then applying to these numerous universities.  Students are pressured to remember every club, award, sport, or honor that sets them apart from every other applicant.  Most schools release applications in August, giving students just four short months to finish the applications that determine their future.

“After seeing my sister stress and cram to finish all of her applications two years ago, I decided to start mine early,” explained VHS senior Tommy DeNicola.  The average number of schools a senior at VHS is applying to this year is eight.  However, some have exceeded this number, as is the case with senior Daniel Li. “I am applying to 17 schools, so added up between the Common App and each school’s individual supplements, I have written 29 essays” explained Dan.

Most colleges, in an effort to make the application process easier, have adopted the Common Application, which means one overlying application is sent to each school.  The Common Application provides applicants with five prompts to demonstrate why they are worthy of admission, and this must be summed up in less than 650 words. Along with each school’s extra writing supplements, seniors will be writing around nine essays on top of the course load they already have. Then, depending on the caliber of the school and intended major, extra supplements may be necessary.  With all of this writing two clear camps develop when it comes to the application process: those who are prepared and those who cram.

Many students do not procrastinate with their applications because they are planning to apply early to gain an advantage against the rest of the applicant pool.  Early action puts applicants who have a greater interest in a certain college into a smaller pool which increases chance of admission.  Most schools early action dates are around November 1^st.  However, the many students stricken by “senioritis” end up cramming right around the regular deadline of January 1^st to finish all of their applications.

“Get a head start because managing your time with these applications makes the whole process much less overwhelming” explained VHS senior Emily Keane.  The students wise enough to budget their time enjoy the luxury of getting their English teachers to correct and provide feedback regarding application essays.  Instead of putting the finishing touches on essays the night of December 31^st these students are confident with the work they produced.

Even though applying to colleges seems daunting, it is important to not brush the issue aside.  With all the work given in school, it is easy for applications and essays to be forgotten.  However if they start early and manage time and deadlines, students are able to sit back confidently and wait for their dream school to say “Congratulations.”