<p>I’m second guessing myself so much right now. I had two completely different paths to choose from (art school (RISD) and a normal university(WashU/USC)). In the end, I chose the art school and gave up a normal, college experience with the option to double major in exchange for a completely art-focused environment with a minor emphasis on liberal arts. I just hope that I made the right choice.</p>
<p>I’m going to Williams College. Should I have “decision remorse” about turning down U Rochester, Case Western Reserve (i never visited), and Ave Maria (cheap and close to home but very new and small)?</p>
<p>As for me I really only got into one anyway…</p>
<p>I was totally unsure about my university. In fact, I don’t even know much about the school. But what I am good at, however, is thinking really positively. I’ve convinced myself already that it’s an awesome decision. No regrets!</p>
<p>i’m still in a stage of regret after saying no to uc berkeley over a reputable, but not the biggest name, private girls school. everyone i’ve told my decision to, outside my group of close friends, questions my choice and asks what made me decide. i try to justify it but it becomes harder to feel sure about this when berkeley keeps seeping into my conversations with other people, facebook, school, etc.</p>
<p>I’m glad this is a discussion - I’ve been hard pressed to find other students who are questioning their decision. I observed a discussion on my chosen school’s Class of 2016 group where a bunch of my future classmates jumped on another student for expressing doubt about his decision. I’m honestly worried about being one of the few who second guesses my choice at a college filled with an awful lot of school spirit…
That being said, I’m going to give it a year and hope for the best. The way I see it, if I’d worked harder in HS I could be going to a better school. That’s my motivation to work my butt off and possibly transfer if need be.</p>
<p>I can say that I am 100%, nay 110% happy about my decision to attend Penn next year. It was my first choice in the States and I feel a never-ending sense of awe and gratitude that I’ll be attending an institution of such calibre next year.</p>
<p>I’ve had a really, really rocky life. I grew up in a tiny locality in India and was a victim of child abuse, and had a schizophrenic bipolar mother then a bunch of stuff happened and my mother died and before I knew it 3 years ago I was shipped off to live with my grandparents in Hong Kong. Somehow the constant confusion and turmoil made me develop a unique self-awareness. I never lost focus on academics though I was always a small dreamer because I was constantly told I was not good enough. 1 year ago I fell head over heels in love with Brown - it just seemed so perfect. USA seemed too distant a dream though - we could not afford it and the more research I did - kids getting rejected after applying from top prep schools with better stats and more supportive/knowledgeable families that mine - the more disheartened I felt. But it had to be Brown, it just had to. Every single aspect of that school spoke to me. I felt like it had been designed keeping me in mind. I applied ED and got deferred. I thought it was a polite rejection and therefore spent much of last year second-guessing myself and preparing myself for failure and the CC boards did nothing to boost my confidence. I was a complete emotional nervous wreck.</p>
<p>Then I got in RD, along with decent external scholarships. </p>
<p>I cannot yet adequately express what this means to me. It isn’t just the chance to academically explore and make something of myself - it is my ticket to freedom from an undeserved past and in a way a confirmation of my individual capabilities - I managed to kick my personal demons to the curb. I have been crying constantly and am in a state of shock/disbelief. 4 years ago I was tiny, terrified, hopeless. I was lost in every sense of the word. I believed my life was beyond redemption. And here I am now picking up the pieces and moving on. This is my closure and my ticket to a better life. And I managed to bring about the change myself. My self esteem has never been better. And for the first time, I actually have genuine hope. I’m daring to dream big.</p>
<p>Brown '16, here I come.</p>
<p>^^ @Booyou That is truly an amazing story. If anyone is worthy of Brown, it is you. Congratulations.</p>
<p>I know I am years late on this…but…I have remorse on where I went. It was years ago. (I am a parent and I graduated high school in 1988). I had everything going for me from National Merit, to top SAT scores, to volunteer work, student leadership, etc etc etc…I even had hardship. Yet, I ended up at the local state university (Iowa State). I was given almost all student loans to pay for it, despite not having parents. I hated the school with a passion. My grades were not very good and they did not even have my major I had wanted. How dumb was I? It was hard. I was alone in the college picking process in that I actually did not have parents and no one was helping me at all. In addition to all else I did, I worked 30+ hours a week in high school to pay my own rent. I could have gone to a far better school and probably with scholarships. I did not know this back then though. I did not know anything that I know now. I was pre-internet of course. And …again…I had no one to guide me. I was 100% on my own. I do wish I never took out all those students loans also. I did graduate, but I hate Iowa State (for more reasons than financial) and my children will never attend there.</p>
<p>To spokes: “Anyone” can get into U. Washington (anyone who is really bright), but to get into RISD you have be good, really good, and a bit of a prodigy.</p>
<p>I am a rising sophomore at my college this year and at first, yes, I had a little bit of remorse. I always overthink all of my decisions, so making such a commitment to one school was terrifying. Until about half way through my first semester freshman year I thought I might have made a huge mistake, but after making a good group of friends, getting involved on campus and loving my classes and professors, I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Now the thought of ever having to leave breaks my heart. I think a little remorse can be normal for most kids.</p>
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<p>Ditto. I think some kind of quantum leap happens in the last few weeks of freshman year. All the sudden–maybe it’s the thought of returning home to old friends, or of packing up your room and realizing that this is your home, or of feeling like you’re moving backwards when your parents call to say they’re excited to have you back–you can’t imagine being anywhere else.</p>
<p>Of course, that doesn’t happen for everyone. But I’ve never understand transferring after one semester, and after wrapping up my freshman year with a happier few weeks than I’ve ever had, I really don’t get it.</p>
<p>@glass: Ditto. I will never understand transferring after only on semester. I think people should give it at least a year, and if you still don’t hit it off, transfer then. The first semester is still too fragile and iffy to make a clear decision on whether you could stay or not.</p>
<p>Booyou: With an essay like that, no doubt you were getting in. :P</p>
<p>lmkh70: Good to share this.</p>
<p>I think deciding between schools has always been really difficult for many. I remember when I had to choose what school I was going to get my undergraduate degree from. It wasn’t very difficult since UCLA had always been my dream school. I put down my deposit right away and have never regretted it. Now that I am starting my grad program, I had to make the same type of decision all over again. I’m from California, so I applied to a few of the state schools (CSUN, Sac State, San Jose State and such) around the area. My dream had always been to either attend NYU or Columbia for grad school. I am fully funded by the Gates Millennium Scholarship, so I knew that my tuition would always be taken care of. After being offered admission at NYU (still waiting for Columbia’s decision which is supposed to be this week…AH!), I sat down and started to weigh the different options. Even though I could stay locally and be around my family, I personally can’t say no to a top private university and go to a state school. It was already pretty hard trying to swallow going from UCLA to any state school people saw a “super safety” schools. Ultimately, the idea of being able to get my masters from my dream school without having to pay any of the tuition won me over. The move to NYC will be tough, I know that, but you only live once. I know that I would always regret going to San Jose State or Sac state and not to NYU.</p>