The recent decrease in acceptance rates has been evident; whether through social media or a quick Google search, the drop has been prevalent everywhere. It is difficult not to be discouraged when you realize that Stanford’s acceptance rate in 2015 was well over twelve percent and now it is a mere 4%. 

Curious about this decreasing trend, I decided to research the specifics. What I found out was not ideal. Especially as someone approaching college application season, these trends were simply terrifying. How did UC Berkeley go from a 50% acceptance rate in 1950 to a current acceptance rate of 14.5%? How did UChicago go from 40% to a mere 6.5%? These trends were unbelievable.

Personally, I have a tendency to overexert myself with workload and extracurricular activities, hoping to get into my dream college: Brown. The competition, especially in the area where I currently reside, is quite extreme. Social media tends to portray the perfect student as on par with a real scientist. The research papers and the national competition winnings seem daunting; several times I wondered to myself: who am I to compete with someone like that?

Yes, I had perfect grades and a stellar SAT score, but in this system, merely this isn’t enough. How was I supposed to stand a chance against ISEF winners or the student who created skin cancer-curing soap? Sure I occasionally volunteered at the hospital and did a summer program, but I didn’t stand a chance against a student who shadowed a heart surgeon. 

As someone who had problems with comparing herself and struggled to find confidence. College application season took a heavy toll on my mental health. According to Saba Harouni Lurie, the founder of Take Root Therapy and a licensed therapist, the college application process “can be a source of extreme anxiety and take an emotional toll, as students feel pressure to excel academically, achieve impressive standardized test scores, and fear rejection from a dream school.” Several students develop high blood pressure and see their stress levels skyrocket during this time of their lives. 

However, what I learned is that confidence is key. College students want to see the best of you. If someone else’s application seems more effective than yours, understand that what one college student has isn’t your best feature. More than likely, your strongest suits matter too. Sell yourself; this is your chance to show them everything you have to offer. Trust me, being the best you will shine beyond your fears of rejection. 

With the right mindset, systems, and support, you can also limit the stress associated with the college application process. Here are some quick tips and tricks: 

1. Create a self-care routine: exercising, sleeping, and journaling can be ways to help improve your mental health during this period (journaling is helping tremendously for me)
2. Stay organized: make a schedule for yourself and remember to not procrastinate; the more leisurely and calmly you write your essays or work on your applications, the less stressed you will likely be
3. Think beyond graduation: understand that rejection by your dream college isn’t the end of the world; will going to another college truly change your future success? Thinking about this has changed my perspective on the application process; rather than being stressed, I look positively toward the future. I continue to do my best, but not to the point where my mental health suffers. 
4. Mental health support: therapy is always an option; having someone, especially a professional, to help you in these stressful times is always helpful (even if you believe that you don’t need mental health support as of right now, it is important to keep it on the radar just in case)

Written By: Siri Munnuluri, Mental H2O Youth Resource Writer