<p>I know it's not good to have one because you don't dedicate as much time to the other schools you're applying to, so now I want to stop liking my dream school so much, especially since I probably won't get in there. Any suggestions on how I can brace myself for rejection and make myself like the other schools I'm applying to more than I do right now?</p>
<p>this question is kind of ridiculous...</p>
<p>how are you obsessing over this one school? are you spending a lot of time researching it, figuring out what you'll do when you get there? whatever you're doing, do it for your second choice/ realistic school</p>
<p>^Awww, don't be so hard on the OP. Thiispartaaa, just don't give up, because giving up will cause you to lose confidence and you will also lose a bit of happiness. Just keep your spirits up. Even if you are being naive, so be it; even if you are in denial, so be it; even if you are being stubborn, so be it; even if you are just a dreamer, so be it! Nothing is absolute. Just tell yourself you can get in, regardless of the statistical probability, and then just say to yourself, "if for extremely odd reason _______ university does not accept, which is of low possibility, I should make myself available to other schools." And then, also think to yourself of the greater financial aid, or scholarship money you can get from the other schools, or the great benefits you can get from the other schools as well. Think to yourself that they may not be as great as your dream college, but they do exist. And then you should be fine applying to those other schools. You may still be somewhat distracted, but you will be better off than being completely torn apart mentally from a shattered dream. Believe me, I am going through the same thing you're going through, just believe stubbornly, and the mind will adjust; human psychology is a more powerful tool than most people may think. Good luck!</p>
<p>It's fine to have a dream school, but be ready to settle for a lower-tiered college if necessary.</p>
<p>^^^i think the OP's point is he doesn't want to feel like "settling" </p>
<p>You just have to know that you'll end up where you're suppose to and YOU are what makes your college experience what it is. If you enter any school thinking you're going to hate it, then you'll make yourself hate it just so you'll be right.</p>
<p>Been there, done that. Still doing it. :)</p>
<p>As was suggested, focus the energy you are putting towards your top-tier school into where you think your second choice might be. I never go on the website for my dream school. Instead, I fight the urge by clicking around the sites of my other choices. I take virtual tours, even though I've already been to the campuses. I read the policies of the schools. I research the schools using Google. I do not have my reach school bookmarked, but I do have most of the other ones bookmarked. When people ask me where I want to go to college, I try to remember to reply by saying, "I've been accepted at/ should get in at X, Y, and Z" rather than "I REALLY want to get in at A, but I don't think I will." I follow this up by saying something like reiterating a positive aspect of a school I've just named: "It would be great to go to school in FL," or, "I just love how at X they...." rather than worry out loud about a reach school.</p>
<p>I'm in your position. So I stopped checking out MIT and started checking out Tufts.</p>
<p>My dream college is Princeton. Check out my chances thread at the Princeton section, and chance me if possible. I personally think I have little to no chance, but oh well.</p>
<p>College application is a bit like dating. The bottom line is: If your dream lover happens to be a popular girl, date her but always keep a safety and be nice to your safety :D (should I get shot?)</p>
<p>^That's what my ex-girlfriend did to me. BANG! Consider yourself shot!</p>
<p>I didn't have a safety, but I ended up with a girl whom I can't be happier with. So I guess, it's sort of like college admissions, sometimes you think that this one single college is the perfect college for you, but after you get rejected and you go to some other school you previously thought inferior, you realize that the college you're now in is much better than you initially thought it would be.</p>