November 1st, the looming deadline for countless Early Action and Early Decision college applications, has finally come and gone. For many Seniors, this marked the end of late nights, frantic essay revisions, and intense stress.
“Now that it’s over, I feel a lot more relaxed, and I feel like I can focus more on my schoolwork and extra curricular activities, and spending time with my friends,” says Senior Riya Goel ‘26. Indeed, for many Seniors, the first week of November was a chance to finally reconnect with friends, catch up on sleep, and simply enjoy being a high school student. The Upper School even organized a Pajama/Sweatpant Day for Seniors on the Monday immediately following the November 1st deadline, a much-needed acknowledgement of the hard work and stress the class had just endured.
However, while many applications are in, the work isn’t entirely done. Seniors applying to Regular Decision schools have a bit more time, but those deadlines are also fast approaching, with most falling between January 1st and January 15th. Flint Hill’s College Counseling review deadline for those dates falls on December 1st. Many Seniors are starting to work on those applications now, not wanting to wait and relive the traffic jam that was the weeks prior to the November 1st deadline.
Senior Elisabeth Morello ‘26 acknowledges the relief while keeping the focus on the remaining tasks. “I’m really relieved that the November 1st deadline is in, and I’ve gotten some done, but I still have a lot more to do, so there’s still lots of work that needs to be done,” she says. “I’m still stressed, but I’ll be sure to celebrate after.”
In addition to writing, many Seniors are now preparing for alumni interviews. For several competitive colleges, an interview is an optional (or sometimes required) step in the application process. These interviews, conducted by local alumni volunteers, are scheduled throughout November and December. While they may seem intimidating, it is important to remember that these interviews are simply an opportunity for the applicant to add a personal voice to their written application.
As for those whose Early Action and Early Decision applications are complete, a new phase begins: the waiting game. Colleges’ decision dates can stretch from December all the way through January. This new phase presents its own challenges, as Seniors swap the stress of doing for the anxiety of waiting. But now is the perfect time to re-engage with hobbies, spend quality time with friends and family, or even plan ahead and research scholarships. Focusing on having fun in the present as well as planning for the future, rather than constantly checking on application portals, is crucial to minimizing the anxiety associated with waiting.
Ultimately, this break from college applications (at least until the Regular Decision deadlines) was truly earned. As Seniors manage the residual tasks, such as finalizing any remaining applications, setting up application portals, and preparing for interviews, this period offers an opportunity to recenter and relax. Now is the time to put applications out of mind and enjoy the calmer pace of the season.
