Thinking About College Admissions… What’s Scariest for You?
Applying to college these days can feel pretty nerve-wracking:
Writing a personal essay that actually shows who you are… yikes
Facing rejection even after working so hard can be brutal
Meeting all those deadlines!
Interviews with strangers… anxiety is real
And yet… leaning into those fears can teach you so much about yourself.
But let’s talk about it: what scares you most about applying?
Happy Halloween from AdmissionsMom 
What scares me is that my teacher still hasn’t finished my letter of recommendation. 
Gray said:
What scares me is that my teacher still hasn’t finished my letter of recommendation.
Totally get that fear… it’s hard because it’s out of your control. A good idea might be to send a nice email reminding them that you’ve applied for early rounds and how thankful you are for their help. Offering to answer any questions can help move things along too.
@Tai
Thanks for the advice!
Gray said:
What scares me is that my teacher still hasn’t finished my letter of recommendation.
Same thing here, but it’s with my counselor! It’s been nearly two months, and my early action deadline is tomorrow 
Switching my dream school halfway through the process… happened to me.
Orin said:
Switching my dream school halfway through the process… happened to me.
That’s a big change! One of my students switched their early decision choice from Northwestern to Tufts. I always tell students not to focus too much on a single dream school, but rather on what they want for themselves and finding schools that fit. Changing your mind can be a sign of growth and an open mind!
@Tai
Love the idea of ‘dream you instead of dream U.’ Nice perspective.
@Tai
I really like the ‘dream you’ approach! Focusing on what’s right for you rather than an idealized school makes so much sense. I wish I’d heard advice like that back in high school.
Orin said:
@Tai
I really like the ‘dream you’ approach! Focusing on what’s right for you rather than an idealized school makes so much sense. I wish I’d heard advice like that back in high school.
It’s hard to watch students feel heartbroken over dream schools. I just want everyone to know how many schools can help them achieve their goals and be happy.
@Tai
I spent years feeling let down after getting waitlisted at my ‘dream school.’ Looking back, I didn’t enjoy my first college as much because I was so fixated on an idea. I even transferred later, but the experience didn’t really match my expectations. Now I wish I’d just made the best of where I started.
@Orin
That’s such great insight to share. College really is more about what you make of it than just the school’s name or rank. I work with students and parents to focus on the kind of experience they want, not just a list of ‘top’ schools.
@Tai
I tell prospective transfers not to compare their current school to some fantasy version of another place. It’s a bit unrealistic and can lead to regret. I advise them to think hard before deciding to transfer if it’s just a ‘prestige’ issue. Changing schools doesn’t erase all your problems; at best, it’s a fresh start.
@Orin
Love that advice! Thanks for sharing it!
The scariest part? Choosing a college without knowing what real students there actually think. Gotta get the honest lowdown first!
Vesper said:
The scariest part? Choosing a college without knowing what real students there actually think. Gotta get the honest lowdown first!
Yes, totally agree! Reaching out to current students can be so helpful. If you can’t visit, try to connect with students on forums, social media, or even through admissions. Some colleges are happy to set that up if you ask.