One of my students felt discouraged when he was rejected
from several selective colleges this year.
My first comment to him was that he should not take it personally. Truthfully, he did all he could academically
and with extracurriculars. Sometimes, it comes down to whether the school needs
a student from the East or West coast.
I also told him that the college experience is more about
the student than the school. Every
college offers you the chance to explore your passion—the four-year experience
is what the individual student makes of it.
I have students get rejected from their first choice and
have a great four years at their second or third choice. When you think about
your dream school, ask yourself these questions: How many times have you been
on the campus? How many classes have you
attended there? It is almost like
thinking that you will get married after just one date.
When I reflect on the many former students who had great
experiences at their second- or third-choice schools, I realize that they were
determined to get the most out of college in the same way they made the most
out of high school.
The challenge that students face is not to take the
rejection personally. Also, do not
compare yourself to other students who might have been accepted to a school from
which you were rejected. The acceptance decision is something that only makes
sense to the admissions officers.
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