<p>I know I should be happy... I applied to 8 schools and only got rejected from 1 -- granted 3 are waitlists. But I just feel so down, like everything is out of my control... I need to decide what to do; where should I accept waitlist spots? is the tuition worth it?... And I just really need some imput or help or anything you can offer...</p>
<p>Accepted at Bard, Hampshire, Wells, SUNY Cortland
Waitlisted at Hamilton, Colgate, Skidmore</p>
<p>I want somewhere intulectual... Somewhere that I'll fit in -- I'm super a super liberal environmental activist. I don't even know what else to tell you. I'm just so overwhelmed right now... I don't know what to do. </p>
<p>If anyone could offer some advice... Some help of any kind... I would be eternally grateful.</p>
<p>Bard is such a great, great school for an environmental activist, with strong offerings in social ecology. It is a super, super, super liberal place. </p>
<p>What's the problem? It is the school that fits your profile better than any of the others.</p>
<p>I'll let others advise you on schools. I'll just say: take a deep breath. Congratulate yourself (you did good!! it'll be great!!) Then take yourself out for an ice cream -- and start reading CC for parent/student input while you plan to visit (or revisit) the campuses that make your short list. </p>
<p>You did good!! It'll be great!! -- ENJOY the feeling :))</p>
<p>I don't think any of us should tell you which school to pick. I don't think that's the issue for you. </p>
<p>I think you're right now in a never-never-land emotional panic of, "Oh my god I worked my whole life for this moment and now it's here and I don't know what to do and did I do the best I can and now the whole choice is on me and what if I choose wrong?"</p>
<p>Take a deep breath. You're accepted to some great schools!! This is what you've wanted!! But you need to slow down. You don't need to decide anything today. Go for a walk, go for a jog, listen to music, or whatever your thing is -- and talk to a lot of people. Go for some overnights. Talk to people at the schools. See what they wear, see what notices are on the bulletin boards. </p>
<p>My kids felt exactly the same thing you are at just about this time. Here's what worked for them. If you can visit your top two or three choices one more time, do so. But other than that, take a week or two off from all the college stuff. Do a family pizza and movie night. Go out with friends and do crazy (but generally legal) things. Volunteer after school to help a favorite teacher out. Make High School memories to take with you to college. All your choices will still be there in a week or two but by getting back on the High School track for a short time, you will take some of the pressure off and things will become more clear.</p>
<p>I told my D to take out a piece of paper and list all of the factors of the schools on one side, then rank them positive or negative on each category....it will help you review each school equally and in the end there may be a clear choice. THEN discuss that with your parents, look at your emotional side/psychological needs and your physical needs to see how each fit.</p>
<p>If you attend Hampshire, you are able to take classes at the other four schools of the consortium (Smith, Amherst, UMass and I guess Mt. Holyoke). The best of all worlds? Bard also seems to fit you perfectly.</p>
<p>zixxa has excellent advice.
Remember, there is not one perfect and only school. Next year you could be very happy at several of them - relax as much as you can and tune out everyone who is demanding an answer right now. If you search these boards you will find about 100 - 1 kids who feel right about where they are vs those that are unhappy. You can bloom many places.</p>
<p>Congratulations!
and kudos on being able to describe what's important to you.</p>
<p>I second the advice to chill out for a week or so, and then regroup.</p>
<p>There are a couple other threads active right now with advice for how to choose between schools, some of the decision breakers tips are really good ideas. </p>
<p>I agree, you are probably overwhelmed at the thought of making the 'wrong' choice. It'll be okay. Actually, it will be great.</p>
<p>we have a friend whose GC said he was a "sure thing" for Swarthmore and he did not get in...he is at Hampshire and completely fulfilled and learning tons academically...very nice consortium of colleges there</p>
<p>Thank you all for your advice… I’m still kind of out of it – I’m trying to wrap my head around the choice I have to make. I’m trying hard to relax, focus on the present. But the choice still looms in the back of my head.</p>
<p>I’m visiting Bard and Hampshire early next week. But I don’t know how to go about the waitlist schools… I’ll probably call all three and see what kind of financial aid they offer waitlist acceptances. If it’s not 100% of need, I won’t accept the spot.</p>
<p>It seems like at this point it’s about money… Hampshire is a good deal cheaper than Bard. But I don’t know if that makes sense. Shouldn’t my estimated financial contribution be the same at all of my schools? </p>
<p>I’m hoping that it will all make sense when I visit. My father has made it clear that I can choose whichever one I want but I must keep in mind the financial aspects. I’m not sure I can rationalize $20,000 more for Bard.</p>
<p>Whoa! $20k per year? Bard is not worth $80k over Hampshire in my book. THe same kind of kid would likely thrive at either one, and IMHO you should not go into debt to take one over the other.</p>
<p>Go visit, absorb everything you can, take notes so when you get home from both you can evaluate, and relax. Take your time. I truly believe the answer will jump out at you.</p>
<p>I understand whereyou are right now; I also hate being uncomfortable with No Decision and will sometimes make The Wrong Decision just to get rid of that uncomfortable feeling. But you have a while, and you don't have to decide immediately.</p>