The Axiomatic Musings of a Teen who has submitted her college applications.

It's a beautiful, beautiful feeling.

Things I'd advise to juniors and such after going through "the process":

-Chill the f**k out. Tell your parents to chill the f**k out. I started researching colleges and visiting them in like, April of my junior year. I visited more in the summer and I was FINE. This starting in sophomore year shenanigans just prolongs the stress.
-Write an essay as soon as the occasion strikes you as soon as you can. Something awesome happens to you? Write an essay about it. Something horrible happens? Write an essay about it. Something that comes naturally comes out better than when you force a college essay because you need a college essay.
-VISIT VISIT VISIT. I actually considered applying to UConn until I visited the campus and saw 4 people I knew in like 3 hours. Knew at that moment I was going out of state. You have to find the places you can really picture yourself in, the places you walk around the campus smiling the whole time.
-Take SATs and SAT IIs as early as you feel comfortable in Junior year. Personally I regret taking the SATs the same week of AP tests and the NHS application; it ended up working out fine but it was a lot of stress in a short amount of time that I wouldn't like to repeat. Plus the earlier you take them the more chances you have to retake.
-When you do take the SATs, CHILL THE F**K OUT (detecting a pattern yet?). A lot of my friends who bought the review books, took the prep classes, and were freaking out and getting no sleep before the test did significantly worse than I, who said, "eh, I'll do the SAT question of the day for a few months, get sleep the night before, then try my best and if I don't do well I have plenty of time to retake it so no worries." I really think the lack of stress helped me focus better than if I was freaking out and overthinking.
-When you decide where you're applying, get those transcript request and recommendation forms in ASAP: if you leave it to the 15-school-days-before, you risk your application not being complete on time. There was such a rush in mid-October this year that Mrs. Flood was turning people away because Guidance just couldn't handle it. Getting your act together sooner than later and makes life easier for everyone.
-Did I mention chilling the f**k out? Seriously, you should not be coming into study hall crying from stress. It's ridiculous and means you're putting too much pressure on yourself. Relax, have some faith in yourself, and just do the best you can.
-Just apply to schools you want to go to. So many people have been telling me they're applying to 10 schools but only even liked about 5. Um, no. I applied to 3, and will apply to one more if I don't get into ANY of those early decision. Some of those are easier to get into than others but I don't think I'll get denied from all 4. And applying to extra schools that I wouldn't even go to if they DID accept me is a waste of time and a $70 application fee, so why bother?
-Interview! It's really helpful and gives them a better idea of who you are. I know personally I'm a lot more charming in person than on paper so it certainly can't hurt :P.
-RRRREEEEELLLLAAAAXXXX.
-Don't lie about your SAT scores. Particularly if they're just unreasonable. And you magically received them a full day before they were released to anyone else. You just make yourself look silly.
-When you finish an application, go eat ice cream. That's an order. And pat yourself on the back. You done good, kid. :D

So yeah. Now we wait :O.

*: "Make It Mine" by Jason Mraz