Despite the ease provided by the Common Application and technological advances that allow students to apply online rather than by mail, applying to college has become increasingly stressful over the years. Once considered a golden ticket to success, a college degree has almost become a necessity for decent-paying entry-level jobs.
As such, more and more students are applying to college than ever before. Elite colleges have grown even more competitive; acceptance rates are lower at many state school due to lack of funding and budget cuts.

While thoughtful, well-written essays are often considered the best way for students to help themselves stand out from the crowd
Melissa Rhone earned her Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Tampa. She resides in the Tampa Bay area and enjoys writing about college, pop culture, and epilepsy awareness.