College acceptance

 

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.