It’s fall again, and everyone knows what that means: college applications. Everyone from students to teachers to parents is feeling it—the stress, the overwhelming number of things to do, the dreaded essays, and quickly approaching deadlines.

The Bromfield School’s Guidance Department is well-prepared. Counselor Cindy Hurley believes the process isn’t as stressful as some make it out to be. “What is the most daunting is that [students] think the process is harder than it is,” she assures. Right now, Hurley says, students should have a good idea of where they want to apply, what requirements they have to fulfill, and should know of upcoming deadlines. She maintains that “students’ best resource is the expertise and communication with their counselors.”

One of the ways to communicate with guidance counselors is through Naviance, a software program Bromfield has implemented that also allows students to search for and organize information. Because of its connection to the Common Application website, www.commonapp.org, Naviance helps guidance counselors and students keep track of their progress in the application process. Because it’s online, Hurley says, “It’s more efficient, more economic, and more secure.” Even if students don’t use Naviance, communication with guidance counselors is key.

Jesse Wolff, a 2008 Bromfield alum and sophomore at UMass-Amherst, agrees. “Know when to seek help… You have a tremendous resource in teachers, the guidance department, and even your friends,” he says.

Many students and alumni believe the process is made out to be much more agonizing than it really is. “It’s over-hyped,” says Bromfield senior Peter Young. “The stereotype of the college [applications] process as being bone-tiring and stressful … spawns from the complaints of … procrastinators who leave everything to the last minute.”

Most students and teachers agree that to avoid stress, applicants need to start early, especially when it comes to the essays. “It takes time to write well,” says Bromfield expository writing teacher Karen Bucholc. Bromfield’s other expository writing teacher, Peter Murphy, says, “I would not let it go until the last minute. The earlier, the better.”

In the essays, students should write genuinely and truthfully. “It should sound like the student is sitting right next to me,” says Bucholc. According to Murphy, a good essay reveals who the author is, has a distinct voice, tells a story, and is incisive. A good essay must also have the right tone and diction. “There’s the content and the quality; they work together in a lot of ways but they’re also separate.”

Bucholc advises that essays must be interesting, organized, and selective in description; they need to show, not tell. She warns that essays can’t be “thesaurusized to death.” Replacing a student’s language with a dictionary’s makes the essay lose authenticity and personality.

Unfortunately, many essays do not show personality; they don’t reveal enough about the author. Says Murphy, “Admissions officers are looking to see who the applicant is.” He adds that those applying for early decision should be at least halfway through the writing process by now.

Those applying for early decision must also be completely sure that is what they want. Erica Adelson, 2008 Bromfield alum and Smith College sophomore, says, “Only do early decision if you’re absolutely positive this is the school for you.” She adds, “Make sure to fill out other applications, so in case you don’t get in, you won’t have to scramble.”

Rejection from top schools isn’t the end of the world. Hurley says, if a student is rejected, “It’s because it’s not a good fit.” Emily Kibbler, a 2008 Bromfield alum and UConn sophomore, says, “I ended up at my ‘safety’ school and I love it … I can’t imagine a better experience, education, or value.”

Even if the college application process doesn’t end with acceptance into top-choice schools, students can always have a great college career. As Adelson says, “Wherever you end up, you can be happy. The experience is what you make it.”