I started my college application process in early June 2023. I first set up my Common App with all the details needed, so it would be ready by August 1.

I had already made a list of over 20 schools I wanted to potentially apply to based on my major, social life and location. Over the next month, I narrowed down my choices to 14 based on my research. Throughout the process of narrowing down my choices, I had issues choosing schools based on a variety of factors.

I did not want to feel like I was selling myself short or missing out on experiences by not applying. This is one of the reasons why the list of schools I decided to apply to was so extensive. I feel like the choices I made were the best for me at the time, and would be the best for my future academic career.

In August, I began drafting my essay and completed it by early September with the help of my English teacher and counselor. With that being done, I started submitting my applications to schools.

I began with those with the most extensive supplemental essays to knock those out of the way. Then I worked my way through my other schools and finished the application process November 7.

The application process was very stressful for me and I found it hard to manage my time between applications and my normal school work. I advise upcoming seniors to start your applications as early as possible before school starts to set in with the normal course work and assignments.