Admissions Impossible?

A look into the high-stakes race to get into college.

Updated Dec 9, 2007

A tense process completed; what's next?

Posted by Lucy Benz-Rogers, December 5, 2007 at 7:23 p.m.

Life, I’ve discovered, is just a series of buildups and releases from one nerve-racking moment to another, with scattered intervals of peace — which seem to be getting shorter — in between.

Application shmapplication

Posted by Lucy Benz-Rogers, December 2, 2007 at 7:50 p.m.

I am so glad that the college application process is over. It wasn’t as hard as I thought.

Can a personal statement express who I really am?

Posted by Lucy Benz-Rogers, November 28, 2007 at 8:47 p.m.

I’m in a hurry to finish the UC application as the Dec. 30 deadline is quickly approaching. The application hasn’t been too difficult to fill out. The basic information, after filling out the common application, comes easily. But as easy as it is to fill in all that basic information, like my social security number or academic history, the “personal statement” has somewhat taken me by surprise.

Applying to college or pulling teeth?

Posted by Lucy Benz-Rogers, November 18, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.

Yes! I finally hit the “Submit Application” button! I have a life again … kinda. I officially completed the UC application, and now I’m on to more exciting things, like AP classes and the three projects I have to complete over Thanksgiving break.

It could be a lot worse

Posted by Lucy Benz-Rogers, November 14, 2007 at 5:36 p.m.

As November rolls around, the mood of the average high school senior drops. Fewer invitations to social outings, for those you can even accept. Less spirit at football games, for those you can even attend. Overall energy level is down when it needs to be up. All because of one thing: college applications. As one of the average high school seniors fitting into this category, I find that no matter what entertaining activity I decide to partake in, even if it is but 15 minutes, I always hear that conscientious voice in the back of my mind saying, “Hey, I know you’re having fun and all, but you could be doing your UC application instead.”

True test lies in balancing present while planning for future

Posted by Lucy Benz-Rogers, November 8, 2007 at 6:52 p.m.

Everything – from politics, to a writers strike, to college applications – can be put into terms of the good, the bad and the ugly.

Personal statements not as fun as I'd hoped

Posted by Lucy Benz-Rogers, November 4, 2007 at 2:49 p.m.

I’m currently in the thick of filling out the UC application, feeling stressed because I don’t know my ELC number or how many hours per week I’ve devoted to National Honor Society over the past two years.

It’s no good writing until you bleed

Posted by Lucy Benz-Rogers, October 28, 2007 at 6:49 p.m.

I’ll get straight to the point. Procrastination is bad for the college-bound senior applying to college. For those trying to meet the early decision deadline of Nov. 1, it’s deadly.

Flying solo, almost

Posted by Lucy Benz-Rogers, October 24, 2007 at 4:37 p.m.

It is now time for those long and complicated UC applications. I just got the application the other day, and it's really long. Its kind of hard for me to try to get help from the school and counselors. I am stressing about it because I have no idea where to start.