--- title: Why Are College Applications So Stressful? 5 Helpful Strategies · PrepScholar description: Feeling overwhelmed by college applications? We explain the causes of college application stress and what you can do to counter it. image: https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/stress-student-cc0.jpg --- **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** CALL NOW: [+1 (866) 811-5546](tel:18668115546) [![Start Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-171805697634.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKJluK2NyG3jpAJh%2F2lClc1fhnVHyMZoQonqRxtJngB8FMX6lc78F84JqOaVAL0d36TA5%2FYuH%2FLCJw8AG3ewREi%2F7a3XDouZgjxWfYCBUge6z76KnSykOxONl3avMK0gUjJGpJdyJE2BDTx8g3bsgHwMtx4Kr9Jfh6Jr7WA2XEIgtLw1OoVvAMo4Kw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171805697634&portalId=360031) ## Choose Your Test SAT Prep ACT Prep [PrepScholar Advice Blog](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) ☰ - Search Blogs By Category - [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat) - [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act) - [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions) - [AP and IB Exams](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap) - [PSAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies) - [TOEFL](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/toefl) - [GPA and Coursework](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/coursework-gpa) # [Why Are College Applications So Stressful? 5 Helpful Strategies](https://blog.prepscholar.com/why-are-college-applications-so-stressful) ![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/author_ashley.png) Posted by [Ashley Robinson](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/ashley-robinson) | Updated on August 27, 2024 [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions)   ![stress-student-cc0](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/stress-student-cc0.jpg?width=600&name=stress-student-cc0.jpg) A totally normal (but totally frustrating!) part of getting ready for college is college application stress. Statistics show that [76% of students feel high levels of stress](https://www.princetonreview.com/press/college-hopes-worries-press-release-2022) about the college application process…so **if you’re feeling overwhelmed by college applications, you aren’t alone!** The good news is that there are steps you can take to prepare for the college application process, including having some stress management tactics at the ready. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know for **effective college application stress management, including:** - Answering the question, “Why are college applications so stressful?” - Explaining four reasons why college applications are so stressful - Providing a college application schedule to help manage stress - Listing five tips for managing stress during college application season Let’s get started!   **![feature-homework-stress-biting-pencil](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/feature-homework-stress-biting-pencil.jpg?width=400&name=feature-homework-stress-biting-pencil.jpg)** *If you're stressed out about the college application process, you might want to buy some extra pencils. You know...just in case.*   ## **Why Are College Applications So Stressful? 5 Key Reasons** There are many different parts of the college application process, and each one can affect your stress levels in unique ways. But by **learning about what each part of the application process entails**, you’ll be on the fast track to overcoming college application stress! The more you learn about the college application process, the easier it will be to answer the question, “Why is applying to college so stressful?” Once you can answer that question, coming up with a solid stress management plan will be much easier. Below, we’ll go over **five reasons why college applications are stressful** to help you manage college admissions anxiety.   ### **Reason 1: Time Management** Time management is one of the biggest stressors during college application season. Some sources suggest that [**applying to colleges takes 60 to 200 hours from start to finish**](http://www.forwardirections.org/2017/02/09/how-much-time-does-it-take-to-apply-to-college-collegeapplication/), depending on how many college applications you choose to complete. But even if you apply to just one college, there are still **many steps in the application process that take up quite a bit of time**. You’ll spend time researching and picking colleges to apply to, choosing, studying for, and taking college entrance exams like the SAT or ACT, and collecting info about different colleges’ application guidelines.  From there, you’ll dedicate lots of time to filling out online applications, writing college essays, preparing your list of extracurriculars, and seeking out teacher recommendations. You’ll also apply for financial aid and scholarships.  When you think about how many steps are involved in the college application process, it makes sense that the process can eat up so much time! While 200 hours spent on applications seems like a lot, it helps to remember that **every college applicant will have to put in that time and effort**…which means you aren’t alone! Stellar college applications take hours of work, and each hour you put in will make a difference.    ### **Reason 2: Cost and Debt** The cost of college is one of the main answers to the question, “Why is applying to college so stressful?” For many students, the first thing they see when looking at college applications is a bunch of dollar signs. College is expensive in general, and that starts with college application fees.  **The** [**average college application fee is $45**](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/colleges-with-the-highest-application-fees), with the most expensive college application fees coming in at $100. There will be a separate fee for each application you submit. If you choose to apply to five, ten, or even 20 schools, it makes sense that those costs can really add up!  In addition to college application fees, **many students are worried about the price tag that comes with a college degree**. [39 percent of students who responded to a recent survey](https://www.princetonreview.com/press/college-hopes-worries-press-release-2022) cited the level of financial debt as their biggest concern about applying for college.  At the same time, [**84 percent of college students**](https://educationdata.org/financial-aid-statistics) **receive some kind of financial aid for college**, and many students are eligible for waivers that exempt them from paying college application fees. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by college applications and financial aid, you aren’t alone! For the majority of students, taking the time to research financial aid options and fee waivers can pay off (literally!) in the end.    ### **Reason 3: Standardized Test Scores** The SAT and ACT can feel like the biggest villains in the admissions process. Standardized tests are challenging for many students because they’re long, difficult, and require hours of prep time. SAT or ACT scores have traditionally been required pieces of most college applications. While many colleges have remained test-optional since Covid-19, this can actually add to the stress as many students wonder whether to submit their scores or not.  Even though test score requirements feel stressful all on their own, many students experience the added stress of comparing their test scores to other students. Lots of colleges provide data about the average test scores of their accepted students, which makes it even easier to compare yourself to other applicants.  While you might feel overwhelmed by the test scores you need to aim for, it can also motivate you to come up with a top-notch SAT/ACT study plan and put in quality time preparing for the exams.  And at the end of the day, it helps to remember that while test scores are important, they aren’t the only important part of your college application. Working hard on SAT/ACT prep is always the best move … as long as you remember that **college admissions teams are going to evaluate you based on more than just your test scores**. Your [essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay), [extracurriculars](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay), and [letters of recommendation](https://blog.prepscholar.com/teacher-recommendation-letters-that-got-me-into-harvard-and-the-ivy-league) will speak for you too!   **![old-man-cc0](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/old-man-cc0.jpg?width=334&name=old-man-cc0.jpg)** *This is Jack. He just turned 18, but the stress of applying to Stanford aged him prematurely. (Don't be like Jack—follow our tips for a stress-free application process below!) *   ### **Reason 4: Competition** It’s no secret that college admissions are competitive. In 2021, [Stanford rejected more than 96 percent of its applicants](https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/selection/statistics.html), though many of them had perfect SAT or ACT scores. Elite schools typically have really low acceptance rates, and most students who apply to them have outstanding test scores, GPAs, and extracurriculars.  Looking at those numbers might make you feel even more overwhelmed by college applications, but that isn’t the whole story. [According to Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/09/a-majority-of-u-s-colleges-admit-most-students-who-apply/), **more than half of schools admitted two-thirds or more of their applicants in 2017**, including well-known schools like Virginia Tech, George Mason University, and St. John’s University of New York. While the acceptance rates for elite colleges get a lot of attention, there are tons of other great schools that accept a majority of applicants.  No matter where you apply, it’s important to put in the time and effort to make your college applications excellent. Looking at the average test scores and GPAs of students who were accepted to schools you’re considering can even help you choose schools that are a good fit for you!  Being overly focused on the competition will pull your attention away from crafting college applications that show how you’re a uniquely qualified candidate for the schools of your choice.    ### **Reason 5: Getting the Right “Fit”** The college admissions process is all about making choices. Which schools will you apply to? How many? Which one is your top choice? Do you have [a safety school](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-safety-school)? These questions can feel like a lot, but taking the time to answer them will help you pick (and get accepted to!) a school that’s a great fit for you. While you don’t want to be *overly* stressed about choosing a college, feeling a little bit of stress about that decision can motivate you to **research schools and consider what you want out of your college experience**. Spending time learning everything you can about the colleges you’re considering applying to will help you make good decisions about which schools to submit applications to.  And even when admissions decision deadlines are months away, having lots of knowledge about your choice schools can help you feel more confident and less stressed when it’s time to accept an admission offer!   **![body_calendar](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/file-2513100622.jpg?width=400&name=file-2513100622.jpg)**   ## **Creating a College Application Schedule** For many students, staying organized and knowing what to expect at each stage of the college application process can make the whole experience less stressful. That’s why it’s a good idea to **put together a college application schedule to keep you on track** and on top of all your deadlines. Most college application schedules start with the same step: researching colleges, selecting the ones you’ll apply to, and learning everything you can about your choice schools. Once you’ve finalized your list of schools, you’ll need to **get all the details on the application requirements and deadlines** for each of the schools you’re applying to.  As you learn about the application process for all of your schools, you’ll quickly notice that there are *a lot* of different deadlines, application components, and requirements to meet. To help you stay on top of all of those moving parts, **create a spreadsheet or calendar that marks each major deadline** you’ll have to meet in order to get your applications in on time.  It’s a good idea to **include the following application components and deadlines in your schedule: ** - College research, planning, and finalizing your list of schools - Selecting [an admissions plan](https://blog.prepscholar.com/when-to-apply-for-college) - Registering for, studying for, and taking standardized tests - Setting up your accounts on online application portals - Writing admissions essays - Requesting letters of recommendation - Filling out your online applications - Sending test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation to colleges - Applying for application fee waivers - [Filing your FAFSA](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-fafsa) - Submitting your applications Once you have the major application deadlines slotted in, you can start **adding in plans for *how* you’ll complete each application component**. For instance, it’s best to write your application essays during the summer before your senior year. On your application schedule, you might block off the summer before senior year as essay writing time, then set a loose deadline for when your application essays should be completed.  You might even consider **color-coding the different activities and deadlines associated with each part of your college applications**. For example, you might designate everything related to taking the SAT or ACT as blue, and everything related to asking for letters of recommendations as red. Setting up a coding system like this will keep you organized when you’re working on multiple application components at one time, or when you have multiple deadlines hitting all at once.  The prospect of seeing all those dates and deadlines written down in one place might have you asking, “Why are college applications so stressful?” If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, remember this: keeping a detailed application schedule will make things *less* stressful once you start working on applications. You’ll have a solid plan for each part of the process, and you’ll generally know what to expect at each step!   **![body-five-post-it-note](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/body-five-post-it-note.png?width=350&name=body-five-post-it-note.png)**   ## **5 Tips for Managing Stress** While we can’t change the fact that college applications are complicated, we *can* give you some useful tips for managing college application anxiety. Feeling overwhelmed by college applications is totally normal…but there *are* things you can do to cope! If you’ve found yourself thinking, “I’m so stressed about getting into college,” keep reading. These **five tips for managing college application stress** are for you!   ### **Tip 1: Start Early** Getting started on your college applications early is probably the best way to manage application stress. You know that college applications come with hard and fast deadlines that fall between November and February each year. With that knowledge in your back pocket, you can make a solid plan to **start on your college applications as soon as schools open up their online application portals**.  In general, it’s best to start working on college applications no later than the summer before your senior year. Starting in the summer will give you enough time to prepare your application materials, get feedback from someone you trust, and revise them before it’s time to submit the whole thing. By giving yourself extra time to work on applications by starting early, you’ll save yourself from the *extra* stress of falling behind and feeling pressed when deadlines are on the horizon.    ### **Tip 2: Ask for Help** Your college application is all about you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t **get help from other people as you complete it**. Many parts of college applications are somewhat subjective, like your application essays and letters of recommendation. Working with people you trust to get these materials right can give you peace of mind and let you know that you’re on the right track.  Consider having a teacher, tutor, or mentor read over your application essays and give you feedback. You’ll want to make sure you give them the essay prompt and requirements so they can give you good feedback, though!  You can also **meet with the people you ask to write your letters of recommendation** and discuss what you envision the letters looking like. While they’ll ultimately have the final say in what goes in the letter, you can still talk to them about the parts of your academic performance and extracurriculars that you feel speak to your ability to make positive contributions to the schools you’re applying to.  So if you’re finding yourself focusing on the question, “Why is applying to college so stressful?”, try being proactive. **Asking for help from people you trust** is a great way to gain some reassurance and manage your college application anxiety.    ![body-students-friends-studying-cc0](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/body-students-friends-studying-cc0.jpg?width=400&name=body-students-friends-studying-cc0.jpg)   ### **Tip 3: Collaborate With Friends** The college application process can be a lonely road…but it doesn’t have to be! For every moment that you think to yourself, “I’m stressed about college!”, one of your friends is probably thinking the *exact* same thing. Many of your friends will be coping with the same deadlines and requirements as you. Instead of isolating yourself and going it alone, **consider working *with* your friends to make the college application process less lonely. ** For instance, you could pick one night a week where you and your friends meet up and work on college applications together. Bring snacks, relaxing music, and even games to play when you take a break! Just being in the presence of friends who are going through the same thing you are can lighten the mood and give you the motivation to keep working hard.    ### **Tip 4: Let Yourself Rest** College application burnout is real–and it’s something you *don’t* want to experience. While it’s true that you can spend hundreds of hours on college applications, in order for your applications to be truly excellent, you also need to give yourself time away from them.  **Scheduling an evening off every week** and giving yourself plenty of leisure time on the weekends can help prevent college application burnout. Doing things you enjoy with people you care about will help you dive back into your college applications with a fresh perspective and more energy.  Instead of convincing yourself that resting and recharging is a waste of time, remember that **a little R&R can actually make your applications *better****.* You’ll feel happier and more confident when you get back to your applications, and that positivity will shine through in each part of your application!   ### **Tip 5: Focus on Why You’re Awesome** When you’re looking at test scores percentiles and admissions rates, it can be easy to forget the most important part of your application: you! Every applicant is different, and that means that **every applicant has uniquely awesome assets that schools will be interested in**.  When you’re feeling overwhelmed by college applications, remember to focus on what’s awesome about you. The things colleges are most interested in are the things that you’re passionate about and the contributions you hope to make to their school. Keeping some positive affirmations in your back pocket and reminding yourself that **colleges care about who you are as a person** just as much as they care about your test scores can help you stay motivated and combat anxiety.    ![whats-next-you-can-do-it-cc0](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/whats-next-you-can-do-it-cc0.jpg?width=400&name=whats-next-you-can-do-it-cc0.jpg)   ## What's Next?  Sometimes application stress can come from not understanding what an application is asking you to do. Our [complete breakdown of the college application process](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-apply-for-college) can help demystify things!  Choosing which colleges to apply to can *also *be pretty stressful...and daunting. We'll make the process easier by teaching you [how to make a college list.](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-colleges-should-i-apply-to) Submitting your applications ahead of time can take a lot of stress off your plate, too. Use our [complete application timeline](https://blog.prepscholar.com/college-application-timeline) to take the time-crunch out of the process!    [![Want to build the best possible college application?   We can help.   PrepScholar Admissions Consulting combines world-class admissions consultants with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. Our best-in-class admissions consulting has helped thousands of students to get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit and are driven to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in:](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-151896378675.png)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLV16fRv4Smxt5r19q%2FtH0QlS7DMj8wJuzcPpLfvwb3eCjGVS37DuxAsUAZ007YR0%2FgciCBfMLc7nOAANAEHIsLCviyJFt4WsNA9SqeJo7jW2UsVzP%2FkDqoqHgZ6iP2MnSQgNFaQIGb1fGUFvOPM9zvY1nTXB1kdnJT42W9vh3HgobnjylkQUdkCfviyqc6%2FROBtiuYkskmF24pEcw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=151896378675&portalId=360031)   ### Trending Now [How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-harvard-and-the-ivy-league-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-4-0-gpa-and-get-better-grades-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Write an Amazing College Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay) [Should You Take the SAT or ACT?](https://quiz.prepscholar.com/sat-vs-act) [What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-colleges-look-for) [ACT vs. SAT: 10 Key Differences](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-vs-sat) [Calculate Your College Chances](https://mycollegechances.prepscholar.com/) Get Your Free **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** eBook [5 Tips to Raise Your SAT Score 160+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/sat-5-tips-ebook/) [5 Tips to Raise Your ACT Score 4+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/act-5-tips-ebook/) ### SAT Prep [Find Your Target SAT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score) [Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-sat-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer)** [Score 800 on SAT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-math-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-reading-and-writing) [Raise Your SAT Score by 160+ Points GUARANTEED. Start Your 5-Day Risk-Free Trial](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/?utm_source=databasepage&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=sat_guarantee) ### ACT Prep [Find Your Target ACT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score) [Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-act-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-act-score-by-a-36-full-scorer)** [Get a 36 on ACT English](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-english-9-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-math-8-strategies-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Reading](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-reading-11-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) Stay Informed Get the latest articles and test prep tips! - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/facebook_logo.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![Follow us on X (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/twitterx-50.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-sidebar.webp)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) Get Exclusive Tips for College Admissions Sign up to receive free guidance on everything from acing the SAT to writing a standout college admissions essay. × ## Thanks for Subscribing! ![Check icon](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/file-2386656898.png/subscribe_check.png.png?width=175&name=subscribe_check.png) To receive immediate updates on all our helpful guides and strategies, **follow us** on social media: [![Facebook](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26de6c2beb2b71ee5b8d660200359259.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) [![X](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/f233666501ea25d3fcf3c390d2f08c7b.png)](https://x.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) [![LinkedIn](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) [![Instagram](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/download-1.png)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) **Have friends who also need help with test prep?** Share this article! [![Share on email](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhy-are-college-applications-so-stressful%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhy-are-college-applications-so-stressful%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) [![Share on facebook](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhy-are-college-applications-so-stressful%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on twitter](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhy-are-college-applications-so-stressful%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhy-are-college-applications-so-stressful%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fwhy-are-college-applications-so-stressful%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) About the Author ![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/author_ashley.png) Ashley Robinson Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams. ## Ask a Question Below Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply! **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-White.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com)** - [WHO WE ARE](https://www.prepscholar.com/who-we-are/) - [SUCCESS STORIES](https://www.prepscholar.com/case-studies/) - [ADVICE BLOG](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) - [FOR SCHOOLS](https://www.prepscholar.com/for-schools/) - [SAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/) - [ACT](https://www.prepscholar.com/act-test-prep/) - [PSAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/psat-test-prep/) - [AP](https://www.prepscholar.com/ap-tutoring/) - [GRE](https://www.prepscholar.com/gre-test-prep/) - [GMAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/gmat-test-prep/) - [TOEFL](https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl-test-prep/) - [ADMISSIONS](https://www.prepscholar.com/college-admissions-consulting/) - [TERMS OF SERVICE](https://www.prepscholar.com/terms-of-service/) - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.prepscholar.com/privacy-policy/) - [![follow us on X (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/twitter-64.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/facebook-64.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-64.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) - [![follow us on TikTok (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/tiktok-50.svg)](https://www.tiktok.com/@prepscholarofficial) - [![Follow us on LinkedIn (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/linkedin50.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) © PrepScholar 2013-2025. All rights reserved SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this web site. ACT® is a registered trademark belonging to ACT Education Corporation ("ACT"). ACT is not involved with or affiliated with PrepScholar Inc., nor does ACT endorse or sponsor any of the products or services offered by PrepScholar Inc. GRE® and TOEFL® are registered trademarks of the ETS®. The ETS® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this web site. GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admissions Council®. The Graduate Management Admissions Council® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this website. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Ashley Robinson", "url" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/ashley-robinson" }, "dateModified" : "2024-08-27T17:15:58+00:00", "datePublished" : "2022-06-17T18:00:00+00:00", "description" : "Feeling overwhelmed by college applications? We explain the causes of college application stress and what you can do to counter it.", "headline" : "Why Are College Applications So Stressful? 5 Helpful Strategies", "image" : "https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/stress-student-cc0.jpg", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/why-are-college-applications-so-stressful", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png" }, "name" : "PrepScholar" } } ```