Why Are Teens Freaking Out Over College Applications? A Senior Weighs In
As high school seniors, the college application process has become more intense than ever, especially with the rise of social media. Teens are now under more pressure, comparing their achievements to others by scrolling through videos that showcase others’ college journeys. For me, I often found myself questioning why I wasn’t inventing a synthetic human heart or launching a startup at the age of 14—despite already being busy with track, choir, and teaching outdoor activities.
The college admissions world today feels overwhelming, and a big part of the stress comes from social media. These platforms fuel the belief that to get into college, you need to have an extraordinary, even impossible, resume. Social media videos aren’t just about essay writing tips or SAT strategies—there’s a whole genre focused on college acceptance and rejection stories. These videos, often posted on YouTube and Instagram Reels, can create a sense of despair, especially when they show rejection after rejection from prestigious schools.
I came across a video on Instagram Reels by @limmytalks, where a student, with impressive credentials like being a world record holder for solving a Rubik’s Cube upside down, was rejected from top schools such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. While he did get into other excellent universities, the rejections were highlighted first, and the overwhelming list of top schools he didn’t get into sparked panic in the comments. Many students, watching these videos, started questioning their own chances of getting into any school at all, particularly if they weren’t as exceptional as the students featured in these posts.
This pressure isn’t limited to just social media—students also engage in comparison on platforms like Reddit’s r/applyingtocollege (A2C), where they post their academic stats and ask for feedback on their college chances. These comparisons are known to contribute to low self-esteem and mental health struggles among teens, as studies have shown that social media comparisons—especially those that involve “upward” comparisons—can be damaging.
At my high school, the college counselor mentioned that many students hesitate to apply to certain schools after hearing that classmates with higher “stats” are applying. But she also noted that students who successfully gained admission to Ivy League schools often didn’t have world records or outrageous achievements. They excelled because they took rigorous courses, participated in meaningful extracurricular activities, and often had part-time jobs. This approach seemed more achievable—and far less stressful.
Unfortunately, the constant bombardment of “perfect” applications and rejection lists on social media makes it difficult to ignore these comparisons. I’ve taken to actively blocking accounts that fuel my anxiety and even deleted TikTok entirely. I’ve learned that the key to finding peace is tuning out the noise.
Kyungyong Lim, who runs the @limmytalks account, shared that he never intended for his videos to cause anxiety. He simply wanted to make the college admissions process more transparent, though he admitted that the extreme examples tend to go viral. He encourages students who feel stressed by his videos to block his account and seek out content that is more supportive to their mental well-being.
As for me, I’ve realized that I can’t predict the outcome of the application process based on someone else’s experience. Comparing myself to others only leads to regret and doubt. The truth is, there is no foolproof formula for college admissions. Despite the endless statistics and video testimonials, the process remains unpredictable, and that’s okay.
In the end, the only thing I can control is my effort. I worked hard, submitted my best application, and now, all I can do is wait. And while that’s a hard pill to swallow, it’s also oddly comforting.
Source: CNN News
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