High school seniors and toddlers have one thing in common - they both are waiting for the most important part of the year. For toddlers, they're excited about unwrapping that large gift from grandma. For seniors, it's that big, white envelope with a university logo stamped in the corner and an acceptance letter inside.

Unfortunately, the toddlers might be getting their favorite things a bit earlier this year than the seniors. The admissions program for MSU and the University of Michigan is slowing down a bit because of recent changes to each school's application process. U-M completely revamped its application process to coincide with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling stating that point-based admissions are unconstitutional. Now, the school reviews personal essays. As of Monday, however, the university had only informed 500 students of their acceptance, a slump from the 1,500 admitted by this time last year.

MSU also has slowed down, admitting only 8,000 applicants for 2004, compared to 8,900 in 2002. MSU is accepting essays submissions from applicants as well, though not yet requiring it. As time goes by, each school will become quicker at admitting students; patience is key when waiting for a response from college admissions offices.

But universities could speed up the process, too, by accepting applications from qualified students starting in the summer.

Also, if other schools followed the lead of MSU and U-M in changing the admissions process, then the slightly longer admissions period would be universal, and colleges that now accept applicants at later dates would be on an equal footing with those that don't.

If other schools, however, continue to admit students on a shorter timetable, East Lansing and Ann Arbor might lose qualified applicants. Preferably, that won't happen, because the revamped procedures should corral the most talented students. The essay, for example, exposes character and personality traits that aren't evident on a form, and leads to an overall more comprehensive selection process.

So, for all those college-bound teenagers out there, have some patience. Just think of those envelopes as boxes of chocolate - you never know when you're going to get them, but they're always worth the wait.