When poor planning collides with application deadlines, Emma discovers she needs more than two schools and faces the stress of rushed decision-making.
Emma discovers she's missed Early Action deadlines and doesn't understand the different types of applications.
Emma's college list grows from 2 to 6 schools in one weekend of frantic research.
Multiple essays due, parents fighting about strategy, and Emma trying to handle everything alone.
Family dynamics interfere with application work, leaving Emma stressed and behind schedule.
Emma realizes she doesn't actually want to attend most schools on her hastily-expanded list.
Technical problems, family coordination issues, and last-minute panic submissions.
"Early applications? I thought everything was due in the spring."
Emma's guidance counselor pulls her aside, concerned that she only has two schools and doesn't understand application deadlines.
Binding commitment - you must attend if accepted
Non-binding early application with better odds
Standard application deadline for most schools
Additional deadlines for scholarship consideration
Known for merit aid
Huge school, might be impersonal
Generous merit scholarships
Strong Greek life culture that doesn't appeal to her
In-state option
Feels too much like a backup choice
Dad suggested it
She added it only to please her dad
With six schools comes the realization that Emma needs multiple essays, letters of recommendation, and application fees that are adding up quickly.
She wants to write about navigating divorced parents but worries it sounds like complaining
She realizes she doesn't have good reasons beyond location
She has no idea
She's realizing she has very little
Emma plans to use Thanksgiving break to finish applications, but family dynamics interfere with everything:
Despite the chaos, some positive things emerged from November's application marathon:
As Emma finishes her applications, she's learned that:
When the family finally sits down to understand what college actually costs and what they can afford.
Continue to December-January