Monday, 23 February 2009 14:37
by
Emily
You've sent in all your college applications, but you're still waiting
to hear back as to whether you are accepted or rejected. It's a
difficult time, full of anxiety and curiosity, and it's hard to stay
focused on school and other activities. After all, a simple "yes" or
"no" will determine how you live the next four years of your life.
The Professor's Guide at US News and World Report has recently created a list of 10 tips for staying sane while you're waiting to hear back from your prospective schools. Here is a summary of the excellent advice.
1. Check on the status of your application to ensure all the
necessary components were received. Many schools allow you to look
online and make sure they received everything, or contact the
admissions office if you can't find out online. I can personally attest
to the importance of double-checking; I didn't get into one college
because they never received my transcript, and I didn't find out until
too late since I never bothered to check.
2. Don't worry that you could have written a better essay or worked
harder in a certain class. Instead of beating yourself up about what
you've done so far, just relax and know that the ball is no longer in
your court.
3. Don't call the admissions office to find out if you were
accepted or to ask why you haven't heard back yet; they won't be able
to give you any information you don't already know.
4. Think
about what will need to happen once you are accepted or rejected and
plan ahead. Create a plan in case you don't get into your school of
choice, and remember to get started on your FAFSA.
5. Write notes or emails to personally thank everyone who helped
you in the application process, including guidance counselors, teachers
who gave you recommendations, and friends who proofread your essays.
6. Prepare yourself emotionally in case you are not accepted to your first choice school.
7. Write down all the positive things about the schools that are
not your first choice. This way, if you don't get into your number one,
you can easily recognize the pros of the other schools.
8.
Don't have a "poor me" attitude, and don't assume that the decision
process is taking a long time because you didn't get in. It's also
important to stay supportive of friends who find out they are accepted
to schools before you do.
9. Don't stress out over college admissions so much that you can't
enjoy other exciting senior-year moments, such as prom and graduation
parties.
10. Remember that transferring schools is always an
option, so if you don't get into your school of choice right away, it
doesn't mean that you will never have another chance to attend.