Marian Prim ’12
“How many colleges are you applying to? Nearby or far away? Which ones? How good are your chances? My son went to UNC, have you looked there? Any early applications? When do you find out?” Personally, reading those seven questions makes my blood pressure rise and my stress levels soar. They are part of an endless game of 20 Questions for the senior class, questions which many seniors learn how to dodge after year or so of constant interrogation. However, beneath the calm façade there is a storm brewing. It all begins junior year, when students begin to take the SAT, and all anyone can think about is college. Failed that test? Oops, not getting into college! Tripped in the hallway? Not getting into college! Ate too much macaroni and cheese? Who are you? Not a college-bound student, that’s for sure! The level of insanity reaches its peak just before applications are due and remains at a constant high until students begin to hear back from colleges.
Many students have very different approaches to the college search. Some visit as many schools as humanly possible, which has its upsides and downsides. The good news is you’re eventually bound to find a school you absolutely love. You will have seen it in the flesh and you will know that it is the right school for you. Yet you’ll then begin to ask yourself, “Was Trinity Division I, or was that UMass? Did Charleston have that math program or was that Yale?” The polar opposite are those who do not even bother to visit any schools and hope that they will choose one that will be perfect for them. Most students are in the middle of these two situations. They generally know what type of college they are looking for, visit a few schools that match that description, and eventually narrow down their list to six or so colleges.
Reactions to the stresses of college hunting vary widely. Some talk loudly about it in the lounge, asking other’s opinions and expressing their hopes and dreams for all to hear. There is always that one student who refuses to hint at even what state they are looking in, with good reason, and decide to only tell you if they are successful in their efforts. SAT scores are undeniably the most awkward topic of conversation conceivable. You might be walking down the hallway one day and hear someone shouting: “Yeah, well, I got a 2350, so I might just take it again for good measure.” If they had gotten anything other than that score, believe me, they would not be yelling about it. Many students base their college endeavors off the achievements, grades, and the schooling options of other students, which almost always leads to unnecessary stress. Most importantly, it’s imperative to ignore rumors of rejections, acceptances, recruitments, and unqualified applicants; this information tends to be the least accurate.
Everyone at Episcopal will find the right college for them, get accepted somewhere, and have a wonderful time at college. I believe that college is purely what you make of it. If you go there expecting to hate it and refusing to allow yourself to have a great time, you will in fact hate it and wish you had never left home. But approach it with an open mind and excitement to enter a new world of professors and a fresh batch of friends and you will find doors opening that you never imagined.