First of all, Stephen has some excellent points. English, especially, is one of those versatile degrees that gives you a good basic background for a lot of different jobs.

Here's another thought: Just because you're applying as an English major doesn't mean you can't change it later. I came in to my school as a graphic design major, changed to English, changed to print journalism, changed to business, and am now back to mass comm and journalism, triple optioning in digital media, electronic field production, and advertising. I never would have forseen the chain of events that would eventually lead me to that major. Each choice I made was right for me at the time, and led to a realization that helped me further develop my plans for the future. (Mostly in the form of process of elimination. I can't count how many times I suddenly realized, "Man, I sure don't want to do THAT for the rest of my life!")

In fact, that was the most valuable lesson I have learned in my four years (wow, doesn't seem like that long!) at college: Don't worry too much about the long term. Figure out what seems right NOW, at the moment, and run with it. You can always change it later. That's the beauty of school as opposed to real life. :-p Just be aware that that change may end up meaning you spend an extra year or so in school -- which isn't as bad as everyone seems to think. I'm in my senior year and I've really only just gotten to the point where I'm figuring things out. I'm not ready to hit the job market. But I will be after about a year and a half more, which is how long it will take me to finish my degree.

> What if - horror - I don't get into any private college and end up going to the University of California?
>

Hehe. I wanted so badly to go to either Pepperdine in Malibu (where my parents went), or a private college called Westmont in SoCal. Pepperdine didn't accept me and Westmont was just too freaking expensive, even with scholarship. So I ended up at Fresno State. And I am really, really glad I did, although I won't bore you with details. I figure that I'm saving money for grad school classes, which I intend to take at USC.

My point is this: Even if you don't get into your "dream college," don't fret about it too much. If you decide to go for a master's, no one will really care where you took your BA (or BS, should you so choose). And if you don't go for a master's, well, reread Stephen's post.

There is one thing that I heard about the UC's when I was looking into them. I don't know if it's true or not, so take it with a grain of salt. I was told that because their faculty are so involved with research, they have less time for teaching. As a result, a lot of classes are supposedly taught by TA's instead of the actual professors. I was also told that schools like Fresno State are, in some ways, just as good as UC's, because their professors are of a similar caliber and actually teach the classes. I don't know what's true or not in that.

> I want something more than that - I mean, I haven't even seen snow before. I want to remedy that in college.
>

Just a thought here, and forgive me if it offends you. Why do you want to go to college to see snow? I understand that you want to broaden your horizons, to beat an old cliche to death. But be careful about setting goals like this for your college career. Don't let them get in the way of academics.

Or, if you like, you could always take an abroad semester to someplace with snow. ;-)

> The problem with all these applications is the essays, though. How did everyone else handle all that pressure to craft every word carefully so that you don't come across as too self-deprecating or too arrogant? It's a really fine line, and I'm constantly falling off of it. And I can't even seem to find my voice anymore.
>

Write what you want to write. Be yourself. Don't worry so much about whether you sound arrogant. Chances are you don't. It sounds like you're simply overanalyzing, which is a problem I am *very* familiar with. ;-) And if you're worried, just have someone else read the essay and see how they think it comes across.

> I'm looking at the people who got accepted into Early Decision or Action, and many of them never worked for anything a day in their life. They were just naturally good at writing essays. And those who truly deserved a spot were straight-out rejected or, maybe worse, deferred.
>

This happened (kind of) to me with the honors program (four years' tuition, a PowerBook on loan to you for that time, book vouchers, parking permits, etc., all paid for) at Fresno State. Despite having the highest SAT score of *any* applicant to the program that year, they turned me down . . . because I didn't have enough community service hours. To which I replied, "???" I still don't understand why community service should play such a huge role in choosing who gets into an academic honors program.

So yes, sometimes . . . er . . . "stuff" happens.

Then again, sometimes it doesn't. You have to apply and think that you're going to get treated fairly. Think positive. (This is a case of do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do.) From what I've seen you write, there are a lot of people who would kill to have you write their essays for them.

> I'm actually still waiting for my SAT I scores from December 2nd to come out, which is what sparked this whole post in the first place. Suffice it to say that I'm nervous because this final score will determine if I have a remote chance at getting into a college.
>

SAT scores play a much smaller role than you'd think. There are some high-level universities who don't even require them any more (now if only I could remember the names!). Your high school transcripts, so I was told, actually carry more weight. SAT scores really only come into play as a "tiebreaker" sort of thing, to help adminstrators decide between a couple of similar students. But they are far from being the only -- or indeed the major -- factor that plays in determining whether you get accepted or not.

> I feel really bad when I read a question like "Why do you want to go to so-and-so college?" because, well, the answer's just about the same for every college. It's a good one, has good courses, good location, etc etc.

Why is it wrong to have the same answer for every college? Every person has a set of criteria he looks for in a school. Obviously, he is going to choose schools that have what he wants, making all his schools similar to a certain extent.

>But I don't think the admissions officers expect me to quote the school website back at them. What's originality and what's just plain out-of-bounds material?

Well, think about it. After you've given the "standard response," (good classes, etc.) think about why you picked that particular college to apply to. Did you hear something about it from a friend? Maybe the atmosphere on campus is friendlier than others you visited? Do they seem to adhere to principles that match your own personal ones? Were their personnel interested in you personally (for example, did they take the time to meet you when you visted)? Did you feel at home? Do they pursue academics rigorously through such venues as encouraging their faculty to conduct research and holding lectures for students? Do they offer better student opportunities, like a strong student government, professional fraternities, and travel abroad?

Whew, I got kind of carried away, there.

>At this rate, I might as well just go live in the forest and become a hermit.
>

That works, too. I could use the company. ;-)

> ~Crystal"If the rest of my life is going to be like this, I don't want it very much"109


La"It does get better, but this advice is worth what you paid for it"Zorra