The college application process is notorious for being an extremely stressful time for seniors. The combination of writing your college essay, finding recommendations, and actually filling out each school’s application is very taxing for most students. Seniors manage applications alongside regular schoolwork. Many recall this period as the most challenging part of high school.
For most, applying to college shapes their future. Choosing a school, extracurriculars, and a major are all big decisions for 17-18-year-olds. The two-month window creates constant deadline pressure. Atif Russel, a senior at Broad Run High School, said, “The college application process was probably the most stressful thing in my life. I filled out my early action applications at the last minute. I didn’t really have time to do anything, and I was rushing everything.” All this pressure impacts students’ mental health. “More than half of the roughly 1,000 students polled said applying to college was their most stressful academic experience to date. And about three-quarters reported fearing that one small application error could lessen their admission chances.” (The Higher Ed Drive, 2023)
Acceptance day is often the peak of the college application process. The goal is to be accepted into at least one college. Common App reports that, on average, many students submit 8-20+ college applications. Acceptance rates at most colleges have dropped consistently in recent years, possibly due to rising application numbers or other factors. This puts pressure on students, amplifying worries about their qualifications. The last, and for some the most stressful part of the process is financial. For lots of students the decision is not academic but financial. Some students qualify academically but can’t afford their dream school. This pressure can lead to poor choices. According to the National Center for Education Statistics at Forbes, the average cost of tuition and fees has increased by 169% since 1980. Financial difficulty continues in college, student loan debt is estimated at “$1.5–$1.7 trillion“(Munsch 2025).
The process is daunting. Social, academic, and financial pressures are high. One way to reduce stress is by using your resources . At Broad Run, numerous resources are available to the students. Not only are the resources accessible, they are very helpful. The Counselors and staff at broadrun have
