<p>I'm a Stanford freshman, and I remember being in your situation last year. Although it's easy for me to say now, I stressed out way too much. Although I really like it here--the people are friendly, there's lots of work but it's definitely bearable, and the weather is nice--I've realized Stanford isn't any different than any other place that you'll go. So don't be me.</p>
<p>I guess the main thing that stressed me out was that I thought of the college selection process is a make-or-break thing, and that the college that you go to is the culmination of all of your hard work in high school. That's really not true. If you're good enough to have a shot at going to Stanford, then what you take from high school is what will contribute to your success in later life. All the organizational skills and drive that you've had to develop to succeed is so much more important than the name "Stanford." And, if you keep working in college like you did in high school, then you'll do as well as a Stanford graduate. To put it another way, if you're really overqualified and don't get into Stanford you will probably succeed, just as how someone who's really underqualified and gets into Stanford will probably fail.</p>
<p>And most importantly, I've realized that biking through the quad every day doesn't make me a happier person that I was in high school. Ultimately, your college experience depends on you. If you're a friendly person, you'll make a lot of friends and have fun in college. If you're sullen and unhappy all the time, you'll probably be sullen and unhappy no matter where you go (really, life is just determined by how you perceive it).</p>
<p>In short, getting into Stanford probably won't affect your life nearly as much as you think it will. What affects your life is who you are, and odds are if you're in a position to stress out over the admissions decision, you've got your **** together and are going to do well regardless.</p>
<p>You applied RD? Funny how I didn't know that. You'd think I'd know one of my best friends a tiny bit better than that. </p>
<p>As usual, danny is right. After you apply to colleges and get in you will actually attend one of them. This might seem like it should win the obvious statement of the year award, but so many people seem to forget that in the college selection process so let me repeat myself. You will actually attend one of the schools you applied to. You will be the same person. All your troubles won't suddenly disappear. The right fit is MUCH more important than prestige because you will live at the college you choose for four years. </p>
<p>If you did get into your top choice college and are still shopping for colleges: think about what it would actually be like to be a student at each college you are considering. It probably doesn't matter if they are #1 or #2 or even #10 in the field you think you will major in, but things that may seem trivial like dorms, food, campus activities, school traditions, etc. probably do matter. </p>
<p>If you were deferred or rejected: the advice above still applies to you. There are some amazing students I was shocked to find were deferred. There are other amazing applications who are rejected. ALL my friends are happy with their schools, far happier than they expected. You will be too if you let yourself. Maybe the admissions department sees that this isn't the right fit. Maybe you would be far happier somewhere else and they know it. Things seem to work out in the end, have faith that this will work out in the end too. </p>