<p>This November I applied to Columbia and tomorrow they are releasing their decisions. I have a great essay, a great GPA, a lot of APs, great recommendations, but I know a 25 ACT is too much to look past, so I know I'm getting rejected. My parents made me apply, and now I know I'm going to get rejected tomorrow. Is there any tricks to calmly accept a rejection letter to my first choice university without having a mental breakdown? Thanks!</p>
<p>Look at the information for other schools you applied to and start trying to see yourself there. When you’re really interested in one school, it’s too easy to keep thinking about what life would be like there.</p>
<p>Here’s the thing - and I don’t mean to sound lighthearted - but the odds are very good that you are not going to be accepted tomorrow. The odds are also very good that 70 to 80% of the folks at CC aren’t going to be selected by their 1st choice either. Even if you had a 35 ACT, I would say the same thing. Incredible, and smart and deserving kids are turned down every year…I am starting to realize this as I learn more via CC. </p>
<p>But heres the thing…if you are turned down tomorrow, everybody here is still going to like you. And support you. And brainstorm with you on next steps. And help you find a path to happiness. Here’s an article that came out last year that is really a good read <a href=“http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/on-the-joys-of-not-getting-what-you-want/[/url]”>http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/on-the-joys-of-not-getting-what-you-want/</a></p>
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<p>Some schools have a Wall of Shame (sarcastically) where people could post their rejection letters and bond with the other “losers” (sarcastically) to share the misery (sarcastically again) communally. It’s kind of a catharsis. </p>
<p>My kids did that on Facebook and if you didn’t have a rejection, you didn’t have an admission ticket to this elite club. </p>
<p>You should also know that the highest rank of a school that rejected you is a much better predictor of future income than the rank of the school you actually attend!</p>
<p>The trick is to have a sense of humor and not take it seriously.</p>
<p>Since your parents made you apply even though you knew it wasn’t going to happen, put it off as their dream, not yours. If it were your choice, you wouldn’t even have applied and would have used your ED1 slot somewhere else. Chalk it up as something you did for your parents and move on to finding something that fits all of your dreams as well as the reality of what you can get into.</p>
<p>Hi everyone, thank you so much for your advice! This wasn’t my parents dream, this was my dream, they just pushed me to go for it. But hey, there’s always law school!</p>
<p>The key is really believing that you will land where you are supposed to be. I started out with a big list of schools, most of which were names I grew up with, as at least someone in my family has at least one degree from all the top undergrads and grad schools. (I know, thanks, no pressure there!) And although I didn’t have my application rejected, I was told in so many words by several schools I thought I really wanted to attend that it was not going to be a good fit.</p>
<p>Once that was done, I started looking at schools where I was a much better fit, and more to the point, schools that really wanted me. That was when things really changed, and you know what, not only did my parents not care as much as I thought they would, they jumped right on the bandwagon and thought it was great that I was going to go to a school where NO ONE in the family had gone before. I’m thinking Thanksgivings are going to be a lot easier in my future now, not having to follow in anyone’s footsteps!</p>
<p>I found that school, you could have knocked me over with a feather in September if you told me I’d be applying there ED, but there you go. And I even had to let down a couple of other schools where I also could have seen myself going. Great kids, great campuses, they were the worst phone calls ever when I had to tell them it was just a personal decision. So I feel like I have been on both sides of the coin. The Ivies were lukewarm on me. The nescacs and liberty wanted me there. I am a very happy admit this week to a non-Ivy school but one where I’m very excited to be going.</p>
<p>When one door closes, another one opens. You really will be where you should be, I truly believe that now.</p>
<p>Colubmia was my first choice too. But I knew it was a lot of it was down to the luck of the draw so I set my expectations low and when I did get rejected it was just whatever.</p>
<p>Also: you’re allowed to be upset and grouchy for one night! It’s a big disappointment. Give yourself permission to have ice cream for dinner or blow one school night on a movie binge. You can be mature about it tomorrow.</p>
<p>Not getting into your dream school isn’t the worst thing that could happen. Getting into a state school, but going to a good Grad school is still a great path to take.</p>
<p>You are already on your way to accepting the rejection, which shows a lot of maturity. Others have given you good advice. You will do great if you keep a realistic attitude!</p>
<p>Accept it and focus on other schools that you like.</p>
<p>Don’t think that you will be rejected for sure. You need to have some hope.
But if you are rejected don’t be mad and accept it.
There are many other good schools you like that you will get into!
Don’t worry!</p>
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CRD, I’d like to see that study.</p>
<p>Yale has some great advice on their website about this: [Epilogue:</a> After Colleges Accept You | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/after-colleges-accept-you]Epilogue:”>http://admissions.yale.edu/after-colleges-accept-you)</p>
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<p>Awaiting today’s decision from Bowdoin, we are all remarkably calm. It was the right school to apply to, with a decent chance of acceptance, all the i’s were dotted, the t’s crossed, and there is not a single thing we can think of that would improve D’s chances that she could realistically do, from every class she took to the grades she got to the tests and the ECs. Her GC signed off on applying, telling her it was a good choice, he’s made inquiries and shepherded her application as much as he could, as he does for all our applicants. All we can do is wait and see if what she is is what they want. If not, we move on to ED2, which is ready to go.</p>
<p>You should also know that the highest rank of a school that rejected you is a much better predictor of future income than the rank of the school you actually attend!</p>
<p>What the heck? Where’s the logic with that?</p>
<p>The OP has an ACT 25. If he were rejected by H and P (the top 2 schools), how is that ANY predictor for how much this student will earn in the future?</p>
<p>I would question the wisdom of accepting a college offer that is a very high reach anyway. People who just barely manage to qualify for highly selective universities may end up unhappy and stressed trying to keep up with the rest of the students. There are many colleges out there. If you are rejected you may well have a vastly happier experience at one that is a better fit.</p>
<p>Again to quote from Yale’s link in post #15</p>
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<p>*I would question the wisdom of accepting a college offer that is a very high reach anyway. People who just barely manage to qualify for highly selective universities may end up unhappy and stressed trying to keep up with the rest of the students. There are many colleges out there. If you are rejected you may well have a vastly happier experience at one that is a better fit.
*</p>
<p>This is very true. And, it’s especially true for those who are premed (don’t know if the OP is).</p>
<p>I imagine that attending a school where everyone else is a much stronger student would soon become frustrating. Being at the bottom of the class for most/all classes can’t be too much fun.</p>