Imposter Syndrome is defined as a feeling of self-doubt of intellect, skills, or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

This feeling of inferiority is nothing foreign to me and many others in the college application process. Prior to June of my junior year, I felt proud of the work I completed up until that point, but once my TikTok “For You” page filled with college application content, that pride quickly faded. 

Social media made the “average applicant” seem very above average with 1500+ SAT scores, founder of a non profit organization, and hundreds of volunteer hours. 

The schools I was once confident that would accept me no longer feel like the “safeties” they used to be. Towards the end of August, I found myself lowering my expectations for how application season would turn out. I thought, “there is always someone better than me applying.”

Once this school year began, the pressure of college only intensified. Having college informational meetings every other day, planning night the next, and weekly visits to the guidance office. With school in session, I was not only comparing myself to people on social media, now I was comparing myself to my classmates. I envied their accomplishments and disregarded mine. 

Every other conversation these last few months consisted of the same questions, “What did you get on your ACT?” or “What’s your average?” It all felt like a competition and I was losing. 

Now, as I reach closer to the finish line, finally beginning to submit my applications, the feeling of not being enough is slowly subsiding. Being able to realize that where I stand academically is enough and the effort I put in the last three years of high school was not a waste, makes selecting the “submit” button not so scary. 

Of course, my “For You” page constantly reminds me that I don’t have ‘finding the cure for cancer’ on my common app extracurricular section, but it’s a good thing I don’t plan on going to medical school. 🔳