<p>everyone needs to stop sugarcoating the situation for the OP by saying what college you go to doesnt matter. Of course it matters, or you wouldnt see the competition to get into top schools. That being said, UW Madison is not exactly a terrible school, and if you get a 4.0 there you can transfer to a lot of places or just stay there with your 4.0 if you like it and you will get into some prestigious grad schools. It is important where you go to college, but its not like we are talking about the difference between HYP and your local CC.</p>
<p>I won't pretend to understand such a situation as I have been unreasonably lucky in the process (I'm going to a school I DEFINITELY don't deserve while my friends with better credentials are headed for 2nd rate schools).</p>
<p>But one of my teachers this year spent an entire period laying out some wisdom concerning the colleges that we do end up going to (this was right after apps went out). He sai dthat it isn't the school, but rather the peopl eyou meet and how well you do. </p>
<p>I visited several Ivies and didnt apply to a single one...whY? There's nothing special about them except the money, the prestige of the name and the competitiveness of the students. To hell with that. There are many other similar schools that feel just the same if you truely like the drudgery of an ivy league education.</p>
<p>I've seen some harsh responses on this thread and I have to agree. This isn't the end of the world. No one here is saying that ur a bad person for being depressed...we're just saying that your judgment and rationale is clouded...clear the bullhsit and think about the rest of your life instead of the next four years.</p>
<p>I think we've said enough. The op hasn't responded since the original post. He or she has probably read all of our suggestions. I think we've covered every angle.</p>
<p>Or maybe the OP didnt read any of them and it was some weirdo with a prank. Not sure, but just pondering.</p>
<p>However the thread is valuable. As I have said over and over. ITs all about the fit, not the prestige. Character always trumps credentials in life.</p>
<p>Go to the school which is the best fit (finances being equal or non factor). FIt for one is a misfit for another. Everyone looking for different things in school. For some, sports is key. For others, its dorm life or frats and sororities. For others its status and girls with pearls. Or boys with toys. For others its all about intense academics. For some they want challenge but not frenzied professors and neurotic classmates triple majoring and being strung out on coffee....or worse.</p>
<p>Its highly subjective, but ESSENTIAL that every student pick the best fit. That may or may not be an IVY. The road is littered with people who THOUGHT they fit and didnt...and had a miserable experience, either at large state school or IVY or small rural liberal arts college. So KNOW THYSELF and TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE. </p>
<p>Then work hard, have fun, and move forward in life.</p>
<p>Best of luck to all of you. This admissions process is coming to a close for 99% of you. It will be okay in the end.</p>
<p>It was for me..and that was 30 years ago.</p>
<p>If you got into an IVY, congratulations! If you got into a prestigious elite, congratulations! IF you got into Ohio State or Wisconsin or Michigan or Iowa State, congratulations! Have fun.</p>
<p>dude, im a sophomore...and like i see what u guys are going through and all, but dont worry about it....not getting into an ivy league is not the end of your life. u will always have options, but dont do anything bad just because u are depressed.</p>
<p>Exercise. !!!!!!!!!!!! ..</p>
<p>Yeah. Running with elements of parkour is the only thing that keeps my sanity from being blown away by AP exams.</p>
<p>Nova, I'm sorry you didn't get into the college of your choice. =[ [hugs] =] At least you got in 3/15. :] Not 0/15. ^<em>^ Right? Ha ha I got 0/6 that I applied to. =] Learned my lesson very well. x] Psht whatever, I'm happy at the rolling admission college that I'm going to. =] Goodluck in college! ^</em>_^</p>
<p>Random thoughts--
I second and third the suggestions to exercise-- run, walk, swim, kickbox, you name it. Get motivated to do it, and you'll feel better in the long run (or at least tired in a good way). Line up a summer job, keep busy, etc. A lot worse things could happen.</p>
<p>Ask yourself why you were so focused on "an Ivy" (any random Ivy). There will be plenty of super-bright students at UWis, and I bet for some it was even their first choice. Basically, there are plenty of brilliant kids who were never interested in any Ivies in the first place!</p>
<p>That said, I can understand your disappointment. Just know that it's not the end of the world, and like others said, if you don't end up really happy at Wis you can always transfer. I hope you'll give it a chance, though. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yeah it's also depressing when you get into Ivies (like Cornell and Dartmouth) but you can't go because you can't afford it. (like me)</p>
<p>But I move on, and know that I'm going to an awesome school (UF) and maybe I can go to any Ivy for grad school.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Undergrad school matters but not as much as grad school... so cheer up!
I got into Cornell but ended up finishing 2 years at a community college and transferring to a small international university cuz I couldn't pay for the Ivy school...and now I've been accepted to Johns Hopkins SAIS the most prestigious and competitive IR program in the country! So everything is relevant and don't be bummed!</p>
<p>HoT</p>
<p>i am at an ivy. it's finals week right now. i've spent the last 5 days in the library for 12+ hours a day, i work consistently every semester, and i have average grades. Take the 99th percentile of the country, stick them in a classroom, and you have some disgusting curves.</p>
<p>I did early and never really looked back. but now that i'm here- and i see all my friends partying with high GPAs in fun public schools- i am pretty envious.</p>
<p>you're not missing much. you'll be suma cum laude and a hot shot at uw-madison, while you'll just be average in an ivy, and you'd have to work 10000x harder and hide out in the library every day. </p>
<p>go be a gigantic shark in a small pond - you'll be in the same place as any ivy league kid in 4 years.</p>
<p>To those who get depressed because they didnt get into any of the top 10-15 national universities they applied to. Get out of your environment, stop hanging out with the crowd of smart and gifted top-of-your-class kids, stop paying attention to them in all the AP and honors classes you're taking, and look around. There are thousands and thousands of people that consider admission to Arizona State or University of Vermont a great achievement. So stop being so arrogant. You and your friends are top 1% of all the 17-18-year-olds in the country. Not getting the very best does not mean you are a failure.</p>
<p>get off CC. it won't ever help with depression.</p>
<p>hahaha, lol VeganActress, you are so right! After awhile you forget that MOST kids are not on CC. This place is wonderful for information on schools, and things to do/what to do/advice, but if you forget that most of the kids posting here are high achievers, you will be comparing yourself to a rather lofty ideal. </p>
<p>CC is not a great ego booster!! Just use it for the information that's available.....</p>
<p>yep..and its CHOCK FULL of slightly neurotic obsessed parents and students......I mean some of these people have posted what? 3,000 times? That is weird! They need to get a life!</p>
<p>Most CEO's in America came from large state schools or less than prestigious private schools....NOT the IVY LEAGUE!</p>
<p>Its all about character and motivation and "getting along with others." Not being a nerd.</p>
<p>When I hire people, I do look at their credentials for a cursory analysis...but the interview is focused almost ENTIRELY upon character, judgment, and ethical dilemmas we ALL face on a daily basis. "what would you do in THIS situation?"</p>
<p>Some schools are better at ethics training than others, if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>My business school bud claims that companys make better decisions if they ignore the interview.</p>
<p>Nova dude...</p>
<p>Do this, it may not be related, but just try it, trust me it helps:
1.Yoga & Meditation
2.Drink atleast 4 Litres of water in a day.</p>
<p>I promise in a weeks time you'll be feeling better.
And please go easy on the drugs, they kill you.</p>
<p>College isn't what defines you, it is who you are inside that does. You sound like a smart and motivated student. Nothing, not even college, can change that - only you can. Go to UW-Madison, you'll enjoy it. A few months later, you'll look back and wonder why you were even bummed out in the first place. I wish you the best of luck.</p>
<p>Since when is UW-Madison a bad option? It's a great option! Many Fortune 500 CEOs went to UW-Madison. I understand you are upset because you didn't get in where you wanted; it sucks to have your dream crushed. But when one dream ends, another begins. Maybe you thought an Ivy was the place for you, but what if UW-Madison is the true place for you? I'm sure you can be just as happy at UW-Madison than you would be at an Ivy, maybe even happier. And all those ECs and APs weren't for naught. You learned from them and matured as a person. The journey is your reward. </p>
<p>You've got your whole life ahead of you. Is it really worth it to risk becoming addicted to drugs just because you've run into a few setbacks? Perservere, overcome these obstacles and setbacks.</p>