By Marissa Day ’14 | Executive Web Editor

One down, 12 more to go. I never imagined what it would be like to reach my senior year of high school-I was so caught up in anticipation for it that the thought of college applications didn’t get a moment of thought in my addled mind. Now cramming in applications for the Nov. 1 deadline for Early Action as well as trying to work the ever-so-popular Naviance have taken up all available space in my brain.

Admittedly, I slacked off until the summer before my senior year started. It never occurred to me to make a college visit or get in contact with prospective schools; I just told myself there was time to do that later. Even when the counselors stressed the importance of getting a head start on applications, I thought I was infallible; I was confident that everything would be ready in August and I wouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Now, in October, I have yet to submit my applications. And even with that pressing deadline looming over me, I still procrastinate and find a way to avoid working on the supplemental essays. The excuse I made out of having too much homework is wearing thin, and I realize that if I want to go to college, I need to get everything done.

Not to make any excuses for myself, but colleges put a lot of pressure and stress on seniors. Not only do they want a ‘holistic’ student, but they look for students with high academic standings and a sense of where they want to go in life. I may be a Type A personality that likes to plan out everything in advance, but it’s a fairly daunting process when you realize what competition you’re up against in the application process.

My parents repeatedly remind me that the application process isn’t what it used to be when they went to school. There weren’t thousands of students who were just as well-rounded as you competing for one spot at a college. They didn’t have to worry as much about extracurricular activities on top of grades and excellence, or, at least the colleges didn’t look for them as heavily as they do today.

 Some of the blame falls on South. The one negative side of this school is that there are so many students who are in all AP classes, have a 4.0 GPA or higher, received over a 30 on their ACT, play a varsity sport and consistently win national awards. While I’m certainly not disappointed with my ACT score of 29, it pales in comparison with the 30 + scores.

I always feel like I’m not doing enough, like I don’t have all the extras colleges are looking for. I don’t play a sport (the coaches should be grateful for that) but I work on The Pulse, tutor for SOAR and have a part time job. Yet I still can’t get rid of the nagging sense of doubt in my head that I haven’t gone the extra mile to stand out to colleges.

Perhaps the hardest part of the application is the essays. They’re the one thing that can make or break your chances for getting in to a college, or so I am told. Every time I write something, I either immediately delete it, or keep it until I come up with a completely different topic that sounds just as good as the last. My favorite thing is writing an essay at 2 a.m. in the morning, thinking that it’s spectacular and then realizing later in the day that it was utter nonsense.

Despite the stress and turmoil I feel every time someone mentions the word “college,” I’m as excited as I can be about thinking where my journey will take me. Part of me wants to jump forward to graduation so I can see where I’m going. People tell me college is the best four years of your life, and I’m certainly going to hold them to that. Based on the application process, it better be worth it.