I helped my daughter through the chaotic college application process. But there's one aspect no one talks about: the waiting.

"I spent my daughter's senior year in what felt like survival mode. It was a year of constant decisions and deadlines, culminating in four years of planning. There were dozens of essays for college and scholarship applications, SATs, an artistic portfolio, supplemental applications, and departmental interviews. We had to complete all of this while managing an extremely rigorous senior year with AP classes, dual enrollment courses, and a calendar full of extracurriculars."

"I quickly realized we would always be waiting: waiting for applications to open, waiting for deadlines to arrive, waiting for any indication from schools on the next steps related to the application, and waiting for decision day, which for most is in the month of March, many months after applying. The stress came from waiting, not from doing so many things. Senior year was one long lesson in patience."

"As I partnered with our daughter, I learned it takes a village to get through this waiting game. Over her four years, some very special high school teachers and great guidance counselors were vital to the process because they offered her opportunities that enhanced her application. We are proud that she built strong relationships with amazing adults who supported her with essay reviews, recommendation letters, and course guidance."

A daughter's senior year felt like survival mode with constant decisions, deadlines, and four years of prior planning. The application workload included dozens of college and scholarship essays, SATs, an artistic portfolio, supplemental applications, and departmental interviews. All application tasks coincided with an extremely rigorous academic schedule of AP classes, dual enrollment, and numerous extracurricular commitments. The family found that prolonged waiting—waiting for application openings, deadlines, school communications, and decision day—caused the most stress. The waiting periods affected the student's mental health and required parental monitoring. Support came from high school teachers, guidance counselors, and online Facebook groups that provided information and reassurance.

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