<p>It was a year ago today that my daughter got into Cornell after being deferred early decision.</p>
<p>She had gotten into her safeties, but was waitlisted or rejected everywhere else.</p>
<p>Cornell was her dream school (her brother was a junior there at the time).</p>
<p>I had completely given up any hope of her getting in, with the level of competition and the preceding disappointments. Driving home from work, with what already was a down day at the office, I was depressed and felt sorry for her after all of her hard work.</p>
<p>There wasn’t one ounce of me that thought she would get in.</p>
<p>The door opened, and she told me.</p>
<p>I picked her up and swung her around, wept, and blasted off and in a way have never really come back down to earth.</p>
<p>It was really one of the best moments of my life.</p>
<p>phineas - thanks for sharing
This gives a glimmer of hope as my child’s top schools announce their decision tomorrow -so far accepted at 3 safety’s (none of which they want to attend); 1 target waitlisted and balance rejected…
I am expecting all rejections so back to plan B!</p>
<p>Dear phineas : What an excellent story. When Randy Pausch, the now famous professor from Carnegie-Mellon University, delivered his inspirational and famous “Last Lecture”, he relayed a story as follows about hard work eventually being recognized.</p>
<p>He was often asked how at such a young age, he was granted a full professorship at CMU - how was it that he was so lucky? “Come to my office at 10:00pm on any Friday night and I’ll be sure to explain it to you”, was Pausch’s gripping response. These words resonate whether in academia or business - hard work does not result always in the best short term outcome, but it sets the stage for long term growth and recognition.</p>
<p>Thanks scottj, your last sentence just brightened my gloomy day after receiving 9 rejections in a row. I guess I shouldn’t just give it up as I will benefit from all my efforts in the long run.</p>