For the last three years of high school, it seemed as though my whole grade was preparing for one thing: the college application process. I, along with countless peers, have spent so much time worrying about compiling the perfect extracurricular activities list for the CommonApp, thinking about what experiences could make for the perfect essay topic and stressing about earning the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA).
Even now, as we endure the application process, there is so much anxiety in the air. People praying for acceptance letters from their dream universities and pushing themselves to meet application deadlines feels inescapable. While I care deeply about my future and am someone who pushes myself to reach my highest potential, I’ve come to a realization; applying to college is simply not that big of a deal.
I’ve been extremely fortunate to grow up in a household with parents that place much more importance on the content of my character than academic achievements. Because of that, I’ve adopted somewhat of a “what’s meant to be, will be” mindset. If I’m meant to go to a given school, I will be accepted and attend. The same is true for the opposite: If I’m not accepted, I was never meant to go in the first place.
Especially at CESJDS, there is so much pressure to attend top universities with ultralow acceptance rates. I can understand how it may feel extremely intimidating to apply to schools of this caliber. While it is important to push ourselves in applications for these highly competitive schools, the reality is that over 80.3% of U.S. universities accept the majority of students who apply, according to the Pew Research Center. Even if it isn’t an ivy league school, the chances of being accepted to university are extremely high.
Additionally, in the case that we are not accepted to the university we would like, there are always opportunities to reapply or transfer the following year. National Student Clearinghouse reported that in the fall of 2023, college transfer enrollment grew by 5.3% compared to the previous year. As a whole, transfer enrollment represents 13.2% of undergraduate populations in the U.S..
If I find myself unhappy at the school I choose, there is comfort in knowing that the option to transfer is available. The application process is simply not end-all-be-all, and nothing is forever. There is always a way to find a new opportunity that would be more suitable for me, if the situation arises.
It is also important to put this whole process into perspective. We are so privileged to have the opportunity to apply to, and attend universities in the future. In 2024, the Wall Street Journal reported that 62% of Americans do not hold college degrees. The chance we have to apply to universities and receive higher education is one I choose to appreciate, rather than dread.
The most important reason, however, that I choose to place very little stress on the college application process is because I want to enjoy the last four months I have at JDS. Time flies so quickly in high school and the little things tend to slip away if we don’t live in the moment. I’d rather celebrate our countdown spirit days and shop for prom dresses than worry about my college acceptance letters.
So, while some might choose to spend that time stressing about the future, I choose to appreciate the moment I’m in right now. In the end, our futures will work out as they are meant to. Applying to college is simply not that big of a deal.
