“It feels like every grade, test score, and extracurricular decides your future.” For many high school students, that sentiment effectively captures the high-pressure environment created by the modern-day college admissions process. What was at one time a thrilling step towards growing up has turned into a source of worry and anxiety for many. As application numbers soar, acceptance rates diminish. Admission officers are shifting more towards a “holistic” review of applications, creating an even greater spike of uncertainty among applicants.
The college admissions process, which was once meant to reward any students who could achieve decent grades, now constitutes unhealthy comparison along with a suffering atmosphere of anxiety. Students are no longer just competing with their peers; they’re competing with millions across the world that can be seen all over social media.
Between sustaining a high GPA, taking as many AP classes as possible, and stacking extracurriculars on a resume, students often feel overwhelmed. “Whether or not they will get into their selected institutions, getting everything done in time, there are many moving parts,” says Chaminade college counselor Mrs. Dawn Michel.
There’s immense pressure to stand out amongst a pool of tens of thousands of applicants to one university. During “announcement season,” acceptance posts dominate social media feeds. Familial expectations also add to the stress—many students hoping to balance their own desires with the hopes of their parents and grandparents, especially if they happen to be legacies. The effects are becoming more apparent by the year. Burnout and all-nighters have become abnormally normalized by high school students. Students pursue resume-related money-making opportunities rather than their own personal interests.
Despite the vigor, professionals say that stress doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. Alia Crum, an assistant professor of psychology at Stanford University, says, “Stress is inevitable when you’re living a life that’s connected with things you care about. And learning how to embrace it, learning how to work with it is really what helps us thrive and grow and perform at our highest level.”
This mindset can help students focus that stress on personal growth rather than adversity. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Stay connected to the things you can control. Nobody can predict college admissions decisions, but students can manage their time and self-care.
- Focus on what you enjoy. Set time aside for hobbies, activities, and sports that remind you of who you are beyond the application. It’s often those passions that become the strongest part of your story.
- Talk about it. Sharing worries verbally can help to minimize them, whether you’re speaking to a friend, family member, counselor, or teacher. These people can help to remind you that rejection is redirection and not a verdict on your worth.
Mrs. Michel says it best when she reminds both current and future applicants that college isn’t solely about prestige. “Colleges don’t have to be just a big name to be a quality institution. It’s not necessarily where you go but what you do with that experience,” she explains.
The college admissions system has become a mirror of our culture: obsessed with statistics and reputation. Students and families could turn the tables by focusing on growth instead of competition.
At the end of the day, college isn’t the end of the book; it’s the next chapter. That chapter should commence not from dismay, but from intention.
