A Letter to College

Applying to College
1

<p>Dear College,</p>

<p>Hey, it’s me—the girl whose mind has been solely focused on you for the past four years. Don’t you remember me? Did you even notice me? I know you get millions of applications each year, but did I not stand out for even a second? Anyway, I’m here to ask you a question, and I am going to word it in the simplest most honest way as I possibly can: Why is it so freaking hard to be accepted by you? Were my years of strenuous work insignificant to you? Were my scores not up to par? Did my hours of service work go unnoticed? I just don’t understand, college. I think it’s time for a reality check.</p>

<p>I am part of the large population known as the “over-achievers.” Since fifth grade, I’d spend countless hours doing homework, taking the hardest classes possible, participating in the most extra curricular activities—basically stretching myself out so thin I’d cry almost every night from stress and exhaustion. But, I knew it was okay, because one day, I’d be accepted by you. One day, I’d be happy and satisfied with what I had accomplished. It didn’t matter that I’d get only four hours of sleep a night, it only mattered that I consistently got straight As in my hard classes. I thought for sure you would be impressed with my efforts.</p>

<p>I’d spend my summers volunteering, and my afternoons after school in some activity or another. I’d take on leadership positions that would stress me out to the max and force me way outside my comfort zone, but it was okay college, because I knew one day, I’d be accepted by you. Spending time with my friends and family became a privilege in my hectic life, but it was all for you, college. I was miserable, depressed, and in way over my head, but I knew that you would accept me for what I had done.</p>

<p>Junior year, I took two SAT classes to improve my score, just for you, college. This meant that on top of my regular homework, I studied so you would not look at my scores in shame. Over and over I took this test, but I still could not meet your expectations, college. I’m sorry for that, but it’s okay. I knew that four years of diligent effort in and out of school would outshine my average test scores. </p>

<p>Then, college, I researched you. Visited you. Interviewed for you. Spent days painstakingly creating essays for you. Putting my application together for you. Even paid you. I did everything in my might to ensure that you’d appreciate me just as much as I appreciated you. Then, in what seemed the most stressful part of this process, I waited for you.</p>

<p>Months went by. Days seemed longer. Nights were sleepless as I endlessly waited for the mail to come. Finally, college, you got back to me with a letter. A single sheet of paper that outlined exactly what you thought of me and my life-long efforts. Just three paragraphs to reflect what I had been working on so hard and for so long. </p>

<p>College, this is where you let me down. You started out with some clich</p>

2

<p>You have to ask yourself, is your goal in life to attend a top college? Probably not - I don’t think that’s anyone’s real goal. </p>

<p>Your goal is probably more along the lines of studying something you love, having a job you love, being successful and making money. Attending a certain school may be a step in the path towards that goal, but in reality, it’s a rather insignificant step. </p>

<p>I’m sure you are going somewhere that will give you an opportunity to work towards what you want out of life. College is not the final destination - it’s a start, and a start that doesn’t determine much in the big picture.</p>

<p>Ever hear of Richard Branson? Dropped out of high school at sixteen, pursued what he loved - opened a record company, now he owns Virgin Airlines and is one of the top 10 billionaires in the world. </p>

<p>Find a goal, stick to it and you’ll realize how little college actually means.</p>

3

<p>This letter saddens me, not because you were rejected by your top-choice school after working so hard, but because there are so many students who dedicate their entire childhood to get into one college, just to feel regret and worthlessness later. I hope this letter is a warning to all of the overeager eighth graders and other students who have not hit junior year yet who are on this website that it isn’t worth sacrificing your entire childhood, including your happiness, just to impress a college. Don’t make yourself miserable or change yourself drastically to be admitted to a school that doesn’t want the real you since you had to change yourself to even be considered. As much as I am looking forward to my eighteenth birthday coming up soon, I know that I will never be able to be as free as I am now in regards to responsibility. You don’t want to start working with no turning back and realize you never enjoyed your life. No one wants to have to gain a semblance of a childhood during retirement because they’ve never had one before.</p>

4

<p>To be honest and frank here, you sound like an elitist, entitled, prick. That is what your letter tells me. It also tells me that you find your worth in how others perceive you.</p>

<p>Not saying you are, but your letter gives off that vibe.</p>

5

<p>Thanks, davidthefat. I’m obviously upset here and the last thing I need is an insulting message. I’m not of those things you described and who are you to talk to someone like that? I’m obviously very upset here as this is a very stressful time in my life. I was just putting out a message that too much pressure is put on people my age. I thought by writing this all down it would help me get over my disappointment. How does that make me a prick or an elitist? That really hurt me. I’m not saying my worth as a person is how others perceive me. I’m expressing my disappointment in my rejection. Is it supposed to boost my confidence and self-worth? No. Does it destroy it all together? No. Please think twice before posting such a hurtful message again.</p>

6

<p>Okay sure, I can see how you are upset by my comment. It’s really what you make of it. It was your decision to be so emotionally attached to this whole process. I can’t be the one to blame. I merely brought a rational and logical stance to this discussion. I pity you for being so emotionally vulnerable. I, personally, am very emotionally detached. My grieving process was literally 10 minutes. I get my rejection letter and say “oh, okay, better luck for grad school” and move on. </p>

<p>Keep calm and carry on.</p>

7

<p>I tried to. My letter was my way of getting over it. Not everyone is emotionally detached. Also, your comment was “not what I made of it.” It was rather blunt and insulting. I’m not sure how you meant for me to take it. And I don’t see what was “rational” and “logical” about your contribution to the discussion. You seemed to be solely concerned with insulting me rather than contributing to the overall topic. You’re telling me to keep calm while telling me I’m a prick. It seems counterproductive.</p>

8

<p>Oh, and let me tell you why it is so hard to get into college: There are x number of seats available for the school year, but every year, 2-10x students apply. Even going by pure statistics, some schools reject 9 out of every 10 students that apply. That is why it is so hard to get into college.</p>

9

<p>Thanks…though I wasn’t asking you.</p>

10

<p>bobb I hope you feel better after writing all your feelings down in painful detail. If you worked as hard as you say, then I’m sure there is another school that will be really happy to welcome you and that you can embrace with lots of energy. Don’t take criticism too seriously and get some support from your real life friends, too. The online world is always a bit of a gamble for getting sympathy. I recommend a meditative activity to assuage your grief. I used to enjoy building a model airplane at times such as these. Just remember, you are far far from the only one in this situation. Time to readjust goals and remember you can’t control everything.</p>

11

<p>Two things to remember here:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>This is an internet forum that you choose to post on. Not everyone is going to agree with you, so if aren’t ready for that, don’t post.</p></li>
<li><p>Try to be constructive in your comments, it’s often hard to determine where someone is coming from in internet discussions.</p></li>
</ol>

12

<p>Bobb, out of curiosity, was your number one choice and Ivy? If you prefer not to reply, I understand. Your letter was thought provoking and although you are not looking for it…I’m sorry you didn’t get to attend your number one choice. While there is little doubt you will have several other schools to choose from, that isn’t the point today. </p>

<p>One last thing, I take offense to someone being prideful on being emotionally void of true, genuine, feelings. Talk about pity–pity the school, spouse, co-workers and friends held at an emotional distance from a person who boasts and gloats that they are missing a sensitivity chip. Congratulations Bobb that this person is not you.</p>

13

<p>This is why I am so very happy that I have no preference for any of the colleges I plan to apply to next fall.</p>

14

<p>I never said I was void of emotions. I said I was emotionally distant. Two different things. But let’s not make this about me. </p>

<p>Economically speaking, the school does not have enough time or money to individually contact each and every applicant and say why they did not accept you.</p>

15

<p>@davidthefat</p>

<p>I doubt they would remember your application so even if they wanted to tell you, they probably couldn’t without digging up your file and going through it again.</p>

16

<p>what school was this by the way…?</p>

17

<p>You write that you are “… part of the large population known as the ‘over-achievers.’” You also write that you are “… average …”
To some colleges, being an over-achiever is, indeed, average. Therefore, you must be special in some way to get their attention.
Why is it this way? Colleges want only the best so they overachieve and get good grades so the colleges can say their students are great so more money is sent their way.</p>

18

<p>I agree with beolein. Don’t come to CC and complain about it. That won’t help you, and there’s nothing you can do about it now. Don’t be so sensitive, colleges are brutal.</p>

19

<p>Listen to grammargirl. Very wise post.</p>

20

<p>A lot of colleges don’t want students who they can tell just try super hard.</p>