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Joel Barlow High School senior Haley Young feels the impending college deadlines. "It's so stressful, and it's the worst time of year," Young said.
It started easy enough. Young input her information on CommonApp.org, which transferred her information to the seven schools on her list. But she didn't realize that each school wanted something extra. "Each individual college has its own particular supplement, essays and fees, which is a whole other story," she said.
Young estimated that she had spent $300 applying to schools. "But it's college," she said, acknowledging that the payments could be considered an investment.
She's interested in pursuing journalism, environmental science and animal studies. Young advises seniors to start their application process early. "Start in the summer," she said. "Get the college essays done as early as you can."
In Weston, Brandon Kapel heard similar advice long ago and applied it when he was only a sophomore. His mother, Jamie, vividly remembers the application process and college search.
"It took him a while to find the schools he wanted to apply to," Jamie said. "It was hard, it was very difficult. [Brandon's] pretty mellow, but even being mellow, it stressed him out."
Brandon applied to two schools, but he decided to do early submissions. "That way he's doesn't have to agonize over it until April," Jamie said. "I think it was a good decision."
Next fall, Brandon will grab a bunk at Cornell University. Although the application process was lengthy, it offered the Kapel family an opportunity to spend some quality time on the road and in the air as they visited prospective schools. "It feels great, knowing that he's going where he wants to go and he got it done early," Jamie said.
What was the college application process like for your child?
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