Patience...

Let me start off by acknowledging that I am *NOT* the most patient person on the planet!
I know that it can be frustrating waiting for something to happen. Waiting to hear news. Waiting for the next phase of your life. Waiting... waiting... and still more waiting. But the reality is you need to be patient.

Right now colleges are completely overwhelmed and back-logged with applications that they have been receiving. After you have submitted your application and all of the required paperwork it takes the college time to get everything processed and updated in their computer. To make things even more confusing, many colleges are also automatically generating letters that they are sending home to students to remind you that you need to send your transcript and test scores and a recommendation letter. People tend to panic when they see that notice and want to send the materials again. Colleges do not want that happening as it will simply back up their system even more. This is a very common occurance at this time of year, but it does create a lot of panic in homes of seniors across the country!

Try to be patient and do not panic. If you get one of these letters (from any college) take a moment and double check - did you mail your official transcript to this particular school? Did you request to have your official test results sent to the college from the ACT/ SAT websites? Did your teachers complete their recommendation letters?

If your transcript was mailed within the last 2-3 weeks, then take a deep breath and relax knowing that it is likely just because their system is backed up. Continue double checking on the college website (most will give you access to see your application status) and see if they have everything. If you are nearing the end of the 3rd week and they still don't have all of your items, then you should give them a call to double check. Chances are they just haven't made it there and into their system yet, but there are times where things get lost in the mail or filed in the wrong area. If items need to be sent again then we can work together to take care of that, but first make sure that they really are missing it.

As always, swing by my office to see me if you have any questions.