<p>Again, cruelty is not the case here. Of course, getting rejected is crushing, and it hurts. You have hopes and dreams that seem to be dashed because a faceless admissions committee doesn’t think you meet all of their checklist standards. My point is that there is far more value to Podunk U. and Second Tier U. than you might see right now. In fact, the world is made up of people who would give their teeth for the opportunities that Podunk U. has to offer. Unfortunately, higher education is not a right in this country. It’s a privilege, and it’s up to you to make the most of the opportunities that present themselves. “Making do” at a second tier university is more than most people get to dream of. Maybe I am picking on one word; it’s just that I so thoroughly disagree with its usage here.</p>