so in the spirit of admissions decisions coming out in less than a month i figured i would ask this question…
im a high school senior and applied to schools early, one being my dream school
so …
- how do i not let the anxiety get to me? i dont know how i am going to be able to open the decision letter or type in the URL, seriously i dont think i will be able to do it. i am that nervous.
- if rejection comes my way, how do i deal with it? for those who have been through this before, how did you cope with a rejection letter?
not trying to be a debbie downer, just bracing myself for any fall
My D1 did not get accepted to her first choice school, and was waitlisted (never got off) for her 2nd choice. She ended up attending her safety with excellent merit aid (she liked it as well as everyplace else she did get in). Later on she said she was SO GLAD she had not gotten into her first choice – it would not have been a very good fit socially, and she probably would have struggled to stay in the middle of the pack academically. Her comment now: “The admissions committee knew what they were doing.” Regarding her second choice, she later concluded it wouldn’t have been worth the extra money and for various reasons also wouldn’t have been such a great choice.
She ended up graduating Phi Beta Kappa from her college, got a great job in the city she wanted to live in, and has great friends from college (and still has a fantastic significant other she met in college).
You just have take a long view… there are plenty of good colleges for you out there. Plus, it is their loss if they don’t take you. 
My D1 and her friends saved their rejection letters and had a bonfire with them. Which can also make you feel better!
Oh… and letting go of the “dream school” phrase now is really a good idea, too. As stated above, there ARE multiple schools where you can get a great education, make good friends, and go on to a successful career. No school is perfect, but colleges do a really good job of marketing the good parts and hiding the warts – rest assured that your “dream school” has plenty of flaws. If you didn’t apply ED, don’t rush into deciding even if you do get into that “dream school”. My D2 found after accepted student days that her #1 choice going into final visits wasn’t so great after all, and is now incredibly happy at a school that wasn’t so high on her list at first. Keep an open mind.
I just received my first rejection letter from Siena College. My GPA is a 3.2 however my SAT scores were awful. Most of the school’s
I’ve applied too are SAT optional. Since I am not a great test taker it helps me sleep better. I’m nervous about being rejected again, because my math and science grades are bad however, I’ve been taking college course social studies and English. I also have tons of electives (music).
Should I be worried? Most of the schools I’ve applied to fall under somewhat selective or not very selected according to CollegeBoard.
All it takes is one school to accept you (that you can afford), and you can go to college. Most students get some rejections. If you did a good job of picking some reaches, matches, and safeties, you should be fine. If you are worried, it is only November – you could look for another safety just to make yourself feel better. But SAT optional schools that are not very selective should be good safeties for you. Hang in there, a good letter will be coming!
I agree with intparent. All it takes is one. I still remember not getting into a first choice school back when your parents were probably children. I took a gap year and reapplied/got in, and didn’t even enjoy it. I ended up transferring back to the home state. Wherever you get in, and all it takes is one, it will work out. For thenamesmaddie, SAT optional schools are good. My D isn’t good at standardized testing, either, and while applying to colleges without disclosing test scores might cut a bit into financial aid if awarded for high standardized test scores, with your GPA and test optional schools, try to stay calm and positive. Also, already taking college classes shows how you can do post-high school. My daughter had a class like that on a transcript, too, during the senior year of high school. Post here when you get that first acceptance letter!!! You, too, themoonchild.
these are all great responses, thank you all!
if anyone else has thoughts they want to share about this im sure everyone would appreciate it
Thank you all so much and I will
@thenamesmaddie, apply to Hampshire College in Amherst, MA – BEST SAT optional college out there. You sound like a Hampster candidate to me