Seniors Submit Early Apps, Prepare for January Deadline
By Lauren Vespoli ’09
News Associate Editor
With the November 1 Early Decision application deadline just last week, the end of the college process is nearing for some sixth formers. As early as December, Early Decision and Early Action decisions will be received, with regular applications going out prior to the January 1 deadline. For some students this will trigger worry through the winter term. Just as the seniors are putting the stamps on last-minute applications, many juniors will be in frenetic preparation for the January 26 SAT.
According to David Olins, Associate Director of College Counseling, the past few weeks leading up to November 1 have been “definitely crazy. A lot of students are applying early, and obviously that brings a lot of stress to get everything done. There’s a lot going on, and the students and all of us in the college office are definitely feeling it.” The rush in and out of the College Office slows down somewhat after November 1, though Olins says “it’s never slow.” Even though it’s stressful, the positive side of sending out an early application is that “students have their essays out of the way, they’ve got an application done, their teacher recommendations are all set up; hopefully, in the next couple days, students who’ve got this out will be able to take a deep breath and relax a little bit,” he said.
“Because I had finished my Common Application Essay, the past few weeks have been so much easier,” said Eloise True ’08 of the weeks leading up to the early deadline. “Having basically completed the essay by mid-September took a huge weight off my back. So, granted, I did stay up until 3:45 am before sending in my app, it was only one night of serious stress.” True will be able to breathe easier about the regular applications due in January as well. “After sending in the first application, I feel a lot more prepared. All of my Common Application is completed, so that only leaves the supplementary information for each school.” According to True, supplementary essays are “frustrating.” Johnny Whitney ’08 said that “the past few weeks have been pretty brutal. They’re the hardest stretches in the college process: it’s the end of the term, applications are due, there’s essay writing, SAT stuff…it’s been tough.” With one application finished, Whitney said that he, like True, is not particularly stressed about regular applications due in January.
Rolling admissions is another, more relaxed option for students. Schools with rolling admissions make decisions as they receive applications. Although the final application deadline may be as late as February 1, it is better to send in applications earlier, since students are being accepted and the number of spots decreasing as the deadline draws nearer. “A sizeable portion of our students do apply or at least look at rolling schools,” says Olins. “The thing I would push on this end is to try to get the rolling applications out earlier…students say ‘Oh, I have plenty of time,’ and they don’t take advantage of getting [the application] in earlier when they have a better chance, and also making their life a lot less stressful when they can find out in mid-December instead of finding out mid-March.”
If applications are sent in early to rolling schools, a giant load can be taken off students. True says she thinks rolling schools are “underrated,” and that one of her largest regrets about the college application process is not having found a rolling school to apply to. “I think the amount of stress taken off in getting just one acceptance letter is incomprehensible,” she says. Adds Whitney: “[Rolling admissions] is a good idea…since it’s popular with state schools, it won’t be as competitive, so I feel like a lot of kids [at Choate] will have a good shot at getting in. It’s nice to know early that you’re in somewhere.”
To fifth formers just beginning the application process, Olins encourages everyone to remember that “there are so many fantastic schools out there. It’s not ‘selective is best,’ it’s what is the right type of fit for you…there are a lot of great schools out there, not just 20 that will make your life successful.” Says Whitney, “Get your essays done over the summer; it’ll take a lot off your plate.” To his fellow ‘08s, he urges: “Balance your stuff, stay on top of the ball, and know everything’s going to work out.”
Ben Firke ’08 struggles to finish his college applications, in addition to balancing his other commitments. PHOTO/Michael Tsai '10
