Ah, the mystical, magical college application. Before you start, there are a couple of things you need to gather. Collect the toe of a senior slain by senioritis. Graveyards behind schools are prime locations for this. Dig late at night. Next, grab a small vial. You will use this to catch the tears of a junior taking five AP classes. The last ingredient is a jar of SAT dust. You will need to buy this from a bitter test administrator in a dark cloak at a fork in the road. Now, take your ingredients and mix them in a cauldron over an open fire. Chant the Common Application prompts as the mixture begins to bubble. As it begins to solidify, begin chanting the name of your dream Ivy League school. When it’s done, you should have a decent SAT score and a strong essay and transcript. Place the finished product in an envelope, seal with your own blood and send to your school of choice. Pray for the best.

Or at least, that’s what the college application process can feel like. College seems to be a Hogwarts-like institution off in the distance and here you are, waiting to get your letter by owl. But now that I’ve finished, I realize that there is nothing about the college process that demands you give up your firstborn child and left elbow. In fact, I’ve made it through with all limbs intact and even a shred of sanity left. In my journey, I’ve also learned the following:

1. The college application process is actually about you. It’s not about your grandparents or your great aunt Matilda. It’s not even about your parents. Although it can be important to include and respect the opinions of loved ones, you ultimately have to decide what you want.

For as long as can I remember, my dad wanted me to go to Berkeley or, if not Berkeley, another U.C. They’re great, somewhat reasonably priced and nearby schools. But as I began creating a college list I realized I really wanted a small school. I also sought more freedom with my education, and a more integrated learning environment in a non-Californian location. As soon as I realized that, the process opened up. My dad initially wasn’t excited. But we recently visited my top choice, a small school named Quest University in British Columbia. We both loved it. By allowing myself to search for what I wanted, I’m ending up at a school that I not only love, but one that my family feels comfortable with and excited to send me to.

2. You are not alone. Beyond learning to focus on yourself, the most important thing is to seek help. I incessantly called admissions officers, read websites and talked to my counselor and college and career specialist Susan Gertman. The application process is not a solitary one, and you should never feel alone or scared. There are literally hundreds of resources out there, but you have to be proactive. Admission officers are actually some of the friendliest people on this planet, and any school, no matter how big its name, will have someone to talk to you.

3. This should be fun. We’ve heard all the basic stuff: apply for scholarships, have safety schools, start early, etc. But something no one ever told me was that this should actually be kind of fun. No, seriously. You currently have the biggest say in your education you may ever have. You’re finding a place where you’ll make best friends and new memories and hopefully pave the way for a fulfilling job. The second that the process begins to take on a dark haze, and you begin to hear witches cackling in the background, it’s time to take a deep breath. The application process involves no witchcraft. Between cursing out the Common App and sending frantic emails, the college application

process can be rewarding and enjoyable.