Wolverines View: Navigating College Stress – The Before and After of the Admissions Process

When I first opened my common app in the summer before my senior year, possibilities of where I would end up in the next four years flooded my mind. I reflected on the work I had already done, how challenging junior year had been, and if I had done enough to impress the schools I wanted to attend. In reality, I had to remember one very important thing that I had been hearing nearly every week throughout the college application process:
 
“You will end up where you are meant to be.”
 
Hearing this phrase when you are knee deep in supplemental essays does not feel super helpful. Instead, I decided to add to this common phrase I continued to hear:
 
“You will end up where you put the work into.”
 
Some people have a wide variety of colleges where they would be happy, and some people have their minds set on one particular college. For me, I had one particular school at the top of my list. A major thing that colleges focus on is your desire to attend their school. I recommend booking in person or virtual visits of campuses, applying for any summer programs sophomore or junior year (if the college offers any), and even following the school’s social media platforms to keep up with any events the school might offer. This demonstrated interest is something colleges look for in their applicants and can greatly benefit your chances.
 
As I completed my common application, I made an effort to highlight my strengths. Knowing yourself and what you love to do is very important. I reflected on what I surrounded myself with everyday, even if it felt insignificant, because it is important to show your authentic self in your application. For example, instead of putting a great list of clubs and activities, I focused on the ones I dedicate the most time to in order to underline my greatest interests.
 
Now that I have successfully been admitted into my top school, I found these aspects of the college process to be most helpful and encourage anyone applying to college to not only remember that hard work does pay off, but also remember to take a deep breath. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the stress and work, but it is also important to take time to clear your mind, go for a walk, pet your dog, go watch a movie, hang out with friends, and remember you will end up where you are meant to be.