Seriously, you aren't alone.

Common App's problems are officially all over the news.  It seems some things have improved this week - hopefully a sign of progress.  But if you're still in need of some commiseration, here are two more stories.  One individual even calls it "Application Armageddon."  Easy there, Ms. College-admissions-consultant-based-in-the-San-Francisco-area.  This is no Bruce Willis / Billy Bob Thornton thriller.  We'll get through this.  Most importantly, colleges are continuing to be understanding of the problems and are adapting as needed.  

More Angst For College Applicants: A Glitchy Common App

Early decision deadlines changing as Common App crashes

Common app problems? You aren't alone.

College applications are stressful enough when everything goes smoothly.  There's all the time spent editing essays, worrying about activity histories, and wondering whether your application is a good representation of what colleges want to know about you.  Then there's that agonizing moment (or moments, or hour, or hours) where you hover the mouse over the submit button and try to get yourself to actually click it.

But things really get complicated when you aren't even able to sign into or submit an application via the most common method for applying to colleges.  It seems that's exactly where we are.  The common app has acknowledged some serious problems with students trying to log in and submit applications over the weekend.  That's not great timing - UNC and Georgia Tech's original Early Action deadlines were, oh.... tomorrow.  Both schools have pushed the deadline back to October 21st, to account for the problems with the common app.  I would imagine they'll consider pushing the deadline back again, if problems continue. 

Be patient and rest assured these colleges won't fault you for the common app's problems.  They'll continue to be flexible if the issues continue.  Take solace in knowing that it's not just you, and that most colleges are just as anxious about the common app problems as you are.  You can check the common app's Facebook page for more updates, but please, please, please refrain from posting snarky or panicked comments there.  I'm certain some of the students who have commented were too frustrated to use their best judgment.  As always, stay in touch with your college counselor if you continue to struggle with the application.  We're going to power through this. 

On the lighter side...

Last week was homecoming week at HIES. As a college rep, I always enjoyed visiting a high school during their homecoming week. There was something ironic and entertaining about sitting in a suit, telling a group of students dressed as superheros how seriously Emory would take their applications. I conducted high school visits with batman and superman, various pop stars and boy-bands, tacky tourists, the full Anchorman Evening News Team, and hippies.  It wasn't always easy to keep my composure, and there were times that I just couldn't keep a straight face while answering a question from a student dressed as Ron Burgundy.  I remember those visits as a welcome break from the monotony of travel. What I realize now is that for the students, those dress up days serve the same purpose - a break from the normal routine.  Some time to be silly among the busyness and seriousness of senior year. And I think that's important. I believe we should all take time to play, to be silly, and to not take ourselves so seriously. Students at HIES have shown an ability to do that this week, as well as a remarkable creativity and dedication to dressing up. From adult-sized onesie pajamas to gold MC Hammer jumpsuits; from life-size Gumby and teletubby costumes to some uncanny impressions of Toy Story characters, there have been some really thoughtful, imaginative costumes on display this week. Well done, HIES.  Oh, and then there's this:

Since this blog is about college counseling and college admission, I'll share an instance of some college admission folks taking a moment to be a little silly.  Rick Clark, Director of Admissions at Georgia Tech recently appeared on NPR's This American Life to share stories of the crazy things people do while applying to college.  A fellow admissions director at a different university in the southeast heard the story and crafted this hilarious email response, posing as a slightly overbearing parent.  Enjoy.