Finally after all the searching through catalogs, going on college tours and stressing about the perfect places for you, your applications are done. You've made successful strides toward picking the place that fits your very best needs. But now it's all over; the applications are done; the forms are complete; the SAT is over. You just have to wait.

The process of waiting to hear from your dream school is a major emotional rollercoaster. You go through stages of relief, excitement, worry and anxiety. I'm a senior in high school this year, and all my applications have been done since Nov. 1. The only school I truly care about being accepted to is Rutgers. It's my No. 1, and it's killing me not knowing what is going to happen.

I applied early action to Rutgers and have been waiting for a good month now for the decision. I should know in about 5-10 days if I've made it into my dream school, and it's killing me. I'm nervous about getting the dreaded letter because if it says denied I'll shatter.

Let's say I'm not the best student, but I'm not the worst. I have average grades and low SAT scores because I suck at testing. My resume and essay are where I am my strongest. I have many extracurriculars, numerous leadership positions, and an amazing essay. So, there is about a 50-50 chance I'll get accepted.

Once I finally submitted all of my applications and had all my extras in and received, I felt relieved. Finally everything is in, all I can do now is wait. It's not on me anymore.

For a couple of weeks I was very positive about it! I knew that some college would have to accept me. I was very excited to get my letter back after this. But after a long time of waiting, I got impatient. Not long after, I got the news I got waitlisted at one of the colleges to which I applied. This brought my confidence down to zero. In my head I was thinking, "if this college doesn't want me, none of these will."

At our school they did an instant decision day, and I felt compelled to do it, even though this college wasn't even on my list. I went in for my meeting, and with no shock to me, I was waitlisted again. Now I'm even more sure no college will want me.

I spend multiple nights wide awake thinking about the consequences of me not getting in to college. I think about what it would be like to get the dreaded denial letter. I doubt myself, and I act like I'm already denied when I don't even know yet.

After nights of completely stressing out, I get over it. I drill into my head the fact that I can't change anything now.

I know that it's hard to wait. It's extremely hard. At times you just want to punch a wall. The dreaded guessing game of whether you got in gets to be too much. You just want to know already.

Unfortunately, you can't do anything except for one thing: Be patient. Let time take its course. Enjoy your senior year. Don't waste it stressing about a letter. Whether or not you get into the college of your dreams, you are still an amazing person. You still hold all the special titles and accomplishments you received throughout high school, and no one can take that away.

Everything comes in the right moment, and when it's time for you to receive the letter, it'll be the perfect moment. Keep your head up and be patient. Everything happens for a reason!