The Mycenaean

 

For most high school seniors, applying to college is one of the most stressful things they go through. Between filling out applications and taking standardized tests, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. 

But there’s one part of the process that causes the most stress, the essays. It might seem like just another writing assignment, but for many students, when students are writing college essays they feel like their entire future is riding on them. From picking a topic to revising the essay over and over, the pressure can be intense.

One of the biggest reasons college essays are so stressful is because of how much importance is placed on them. Students are told this essay is their “chance to stand out” and show who they really are to admissions officers. 

When you’re up against thousands of other applicants with similar grades, test scores, and activities, there is a lot of pressure to really be the one who stands out.

It often feels like one wrong move could ruin your chances of getting into your dream college. Additionally, teachers, parents, and friends are always giving advice. While they mean well, the advice can make students feel even more anxious. 

Before you can even start writing, you have to figure out what to write about, which can be one of the hardest parts. Many college essay prompts are vague and open-ended, asking you to reflect on personal experiences or challenges you’ve faced. 

“When I was beginning my common app process, deciding on my topic of choice was very difficult. I felt as if nothing in my life was significant enough to write such an important essay on,” said Cameron Broer, senior. 

Some students feel like their life has been too boring or “normal,” and they struggle to find a meaningful topic. Others have been through difficult experiences but don’t know how much they should share. 

Once you’ve picked a topic, the next step is writing, but the stress doesn’t stop there. In fact, this is where a lot of students start to feel even more pressure. 

Writing a college essay is not like writing a paper for English class. You have to write something personal that also makes you look good and shows who you are, all in a limited word count.

Every sentence seems important, and students worry about saying the wrong thing or not coming across the way they want. Trying to fit everything into 650 words or less can be frustrating, especially when you want to say so much. 

The college essay isn’t the only thing students have to focus on during the application process. They also have to study for and take standardized tests, keep up with extracurricular activities, and manage their regular schoolwork. 

Besides the main college essay, many schools also ask for supplemental essays, which adds more stress to the application process. These shorter essays usually ask why you want to attend that specific school or what personal values and goals you have.

 Since every college has different questions, students have to write multiple essays, each tailored to the school. This can feel overwhelming, as you try to make each one sound unique and authentic. Balancing all these essays, while making sure they meet the college’s expectations, can be exhausting and add even more pressure during the application process.

While touring colleges many times the last thing they will talk about is about your senior year of high school. While yes, college essays are extremely important, it is also important to enjoy your last high school memories as a senior.