What do kids fear most about college admissions?

…not getting in?

My answer exactly GoS!

I am currently applying grad schools. Trust me, it’s not getting in.

@EmpressPixie: For fall 2009 or 2010 admission? I did the whole process last year. I’d be glad to offer help/advice!!

Being in a big new place? (perhaps that was just us small town peoplez)

Indeed, I would say it is rejection that most “kids” fear about applying to colleges and universities. The uncertainty that not going to the school one wanted to can be crushing if it’s the first serious rejection one has faced.

Rejection, even if its from a safety or reach school. Getting rejected hurts, then watching kids you would never expect to get in get accepted. I suppose the worst is having that dream school that has decided to be the last to release admissions finally reject you, without a plan things seem quite awful. Lastly, going away, leaving family, realizing you will start the transition to real adulthood; I’ll tell you guys how that goes…

@EmpressPixie and @girlofscience
I also did the whole grad school app thing last year. After getting done with my applications, I was sure that I would get all rejection letters. Fortunately, it was the exact opposite. I second GoS, if you need any help, I’m happy to do so.

In answer to the question, rejection is the biggest fear, but if you’re asking more about the actual process, I remember hating having to write a personal statement. Scores and grades are fixed (you can’t do anything about them once you’ve got them), but personal statements are so subjective, you never know what to write.

I’m with @girlofscience and @EmpressPixie it’s the not getting in that is scary as hell. I am currently doing the Grad school process. So terrifying!

@adreamofautumn: Good luck!

If you talk to any student there is always relief when they tell you they’ve been accepted to at least one school, so I’d have to agree with all here…it’s the not getting in that’s the biggest fear…after that, there is the fear of “did I pick the right school”.

@EmpressPixie you too!

@miasmom Definitely worrying about whether you picked the right school is another scary part. But one that gets way less sympathy than if you got in at all. I remember when I was picking between my top two choices, it was torture… but one that I couldn’t complain about to my friends because they would just give me the your-problem-is-not-really-a-legitimate-problem look. Fortunately, I think I made the right choice in the end.

paying for the applications, and then not getting in.