Last
week many of my students gave me positive feedback on my blog about
worrying. As I teach mainly seniors many
of them talked about worrying about college applications and the acceptance process. In response to those concerns I decided to
write what seems like my once a year discussion of the college process.
My first thought don't panic. I know many students who did not go to their first or second choice of schools and had a great college career. The truth is that your number one choice is usually not based on a lot of information, maybe a quick visit, your tour guide and the reputation of the school. You probably gather more information on a person who you date for the first time. I have believed for a long time that the STUDENT is more important than the school. All schools allow you the opportunity to learn, cultivate your passion and be successful.
Secondly, one of the brightest students I have ever taught was all set to go to NYU to study psychology. When one day she found out that all her funding disappeared, and she had to go to Towson. She was angry (read last week’s blog about anger) and went to Towson with a horrible attitude. After a couple of months, she fell in love with the school and has finished her PHD in psychology.
My first thought don't panic. I know many students who did not go to their first or second choice of schools and had a great college career. The truth is that your number one choice is usually not based on a lot of information, maybe a quick visit, your tour guide and the reputation of the school. You probably gather more information on a person who you date for the first time. I have believed for a long time that the STUDENT is more important than the school. All schools allow you the opportunity to learn, cultivate your passion and be successful.
Secondly, one of the brightest students I have ever taught was all set to go to NYU to study psychology. When one day she found out that all her funding disappeared, and she had to go to Towson. She was angry (read last week’s blog about anger) and went to Towson with a horrible attitude. After a couple of months, she fell in love with the school and has finished her PHD in psychology.
Now we
must reflect upon the purpose of going to college. If that purpose is to learn, grow and
cultivate your passion you can accomplish that at many different colleges. Most colleges will allow you to grow
socially, emotionally and intellectually.
So take a deep breath and relax. You will get into college. Then once you are accepted it is your job to make it the best experience you can make it
So take a deep breath and relax. You will get into college. Then once you are accepted it is your job to make it the best experience you can make it
I think the reason why you should not stress over the college process goes back to what you said about the student, not the college, being the most important factor. A good student can make something out of themselves at any college. Also, the college process will be over in just a few months and you will be on to a new chapter in your life.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Carey
This is completely right. All colleges will offer you a great experience and can help you succeed. We as students need to take advantage of this wherever we go, whether it is our first or last choice. Furthering our careers is what is important, not where we do it. This is helpful to keep in mind while I am going through the application process.
ReplyDeleteKyle Zimmerman
ReplyDelete“ The competitive nature of ones college search diverges it from the true meaning of college. Especially for uber-competitive schools, student who get in often don’t relish the opportunities they will have rather the fact that they can flaunt the prestige for the rest of their lives. College is exceedingly expensive and as you said, the student is the one who is making themselves into well-rounded adults, the school is just guiding them and giving them the tools. My dad always says that he prefers not to hire the MIT/Berkely/Stanford etc. students compared to those from the less prestigious schools as long as they have more than 2 years of work experience. All in all, where you go to college and the prestige, or lack thereof, will not matter in the long run. It is about your performance in your job and your outlook on life and relationships thats shapes who a person truly is.”
Edward
This lesson is something that I have began to think more and more about in the last couple of months, and I think there is a lot of truth to this. One of the most impactful things I have heard about the college admissions process in the last few month was from my cousin, a recent college graduate. Even with an accounting degree and a C.P.A. he received right out of college (things many would consider to be specialized degrees), he stressed that the majority of what he currently does he learned through on the job training. He stressed that no matter where you go, you will meet people and make friends, and that you are the one who controls how much you learn. What I took away was a newfound sense of relaxation concerning the admissions process. And while I will continue to keep my expectations high and shoot for the most "prestigious" colleges that I can, I also realize that this experience will ultimately be what I make of it.
ReplyDeleteThe colleges will be lucky to get you. The truth is that they are the ones that need you more than you need them.
DeleteI hate the college process. All it does is stress high students out and make them feel like the world is ending if they do not get in to the college of their dreams. I personally agree with the blog this week. The school doesn't matter as much as the student. I believe that most people can go onto have a successful career and a happy life even if they don't go to the best college, similarly to the student exemplified in the blog. All that matters is what you make out of your college experience, no matter where you end up going.
ReplyDeleteCamden Butler
I believe that stress over the college admissions process comes from the expectations that we put on ourselves. However, I have a wide range of schools that I am applying to (some are safe schools, and some are more reach schools). While I know I will get into multiple schools, there is the fear that I may be disappointed or rejected. A few months ago, I was worried about getting into my number one choice. However, after I toured the four colleges on my list, I found that I would honestly be happy at any school. In a way, I don’t seem to have a clear number one choice anymore. This has made the process less stressful. I also know that at the end of the day everything will work out—even if it isn’t the way I planned. Thanks again for the advice!
ReplyDeleteChip
One of the things that make the process stressful is that you do not have any control. What you have control over your grades, letters are done and all you can do is sit and wait. Again you guys will make the best of any situation that comes up.
ReplyDeleteYou are completely right. At any college we go to, we will meet friends and it is up to us to make the most out of the college. Also another point I learned is that some schools may be ranked better, but it's not like they teach calculus differently from another school.
ReplyDeleteBasilio
Just as Chip stated, I believe most of the stress if from the pressure we put on ourselves to go to the most prestige schools possible but in reality, a hard working student who capitalizes on all oppurtunities will become more successful than one who gets into a more "prestige" college without the motivation to go to the next level.
ReplyDeleteThe college application process is very stressful. When you are applying to schools, the more competitive the college is, the more prestige you think will be gained in the short run. But, when you are applying for jobs, employers won't be looking for where you went to school, only that you have a degree and prior work experience. I need to find the college that's right for me and work hard to achieve my goals.
ReplyDelete^- Finn Gaudreau
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