It’s not for nothing that the Common Application becomes available online Aug. 1. The cornerstone of any college admissions process, the Common App will save you time and energy. Imagine, by filling out a single application, you can apply to 10, 12, 15 schools all with the click of a mouse.
Back in the bad old days, when no one studied for SATs, we all started applying to college after Christmas, and only applied to a handful of places. We actually handwrote the applications, licked the stamps and sent them snail mail. Plenty of deadlines were missed because of this slow, torturous process.
Though the college application process is considerably more fraught than ever, the Common App is the one thing that is easier.
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So all you kids out there, you late sleepers you, why not sit down at the kitchen table with your laptop and just get it done?
Yeah, yeah I know, it’s still summer. You’ve got a lot of livin’ to do, but you will thank yourself if you just get this one thing done before school starts up again and you are inundated with homework, activities and social dramas of every sort.
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The thing is, like everything else, the anticipation of this act is far worse than the act itself.
Once you’ve fretted, gnashed your teeth and obsessed about it, when you finally sit down, it will only take an hour, two at the very most. Kind of the same amount of time it takes wisdom teeth to be pulled. (Just kidding).
This year for the first time, Eastern Connecticut State University is now using the Common App, so those of you thinking about Eastern will not have to fill out a separate application.
Guess when the Common App website sees the most activity? New Year’s eve 2010 was a record-breaking day for them. I’ll guess that those folks had a pretty miserable winter vacation, waiting until the last minute like that.
Think of what fine shape your college process will be in once you get it done. Am I repeating myself? Of course, I’m a parent. Of course I’m repeating myself.
OK, let’s say you finished your Common App. Doesn’t that feel good?
Now, while the creative juices are flowing, let’s toss around some ideas for the College Essay……
