How to deal with Rejection?

<p>I'm only applying to Middlesex. I don't know if that is smart or not, but my decision was made the moment I finished my tour. I even told my interviewer that when he asked me what other schools I was applying to. I basically said, "Well sir, I was applying to 6 other schools but once I get back to my hotel, I will be canceling all my other tours. It's a waste of time. None of them will live up to Middlesex."</p>

<p>Anyways, I'm really, really scared I won't get in. I have found myself revolving around the fact that I will get in. But I know there is a large chance that I won't. I'll call it a 50-50 if you will. Basically, the only other school I applied to was the one I am currently at in 3rd grade (8th grade now), and have been there for 5 years. But everyone knew I was getting in, it was a no brainer. So I have never had to face rejection before, and I am purely dreading March 10 with a burning passion. Does anyone have any tips for how to deal with it? Like I said, I've become dependent of this idea of going to Middlesex when the reality is I might not get in.</p>

<p>It’s really never a good idea to place all your bets on one school. March 10 usually shows that even the most qualified and confident applicants can get their plans derailed, based on posts on this board. You chose to fall in love with a fine school but it was the first one you saw. I find it hard to understand why you would assume that none of the other 6 could compare to the first. You are going with your gut feeling, but the best time to do that is at revisit day, when you would hopefully have a choice of schools to attend. I do wish you the best, and you still have a couple of days to get another application in…</p>

<p>I’m curious, what did the admissions officer say when you told him you were going to cancel all your other tours? He may not have thought that you were serious. I read your chances thread and it appears that you have some kind of social connection? A friend’s father is a trustee and will be writing a letter? If that’s the case, it is unlikely that you would be rejected. If they want to reject you, they will waitlist you as a soft rejection. </p>

<p>I understand why you would fall in love with MX. It’s a charming place, really. My daughter applied twice and was waitlisted both times. She had top stats, very advanced coursework with A’s, and a high level of achievement in art and music. She needed FA, however, and MX has less than 30% on aid. The director was very nice and told me that it was only because of the financial need. He even suggested a few other schools that he thought were good matches. You state that your chances are 50-50 at MX, but I don’t know why you would say that. Their overall admit rate is 19% and your stats are bit below their average. But if your athletics are really strong, perhaps it won’t matter.</p>

<p>I hope you consider looking at schools with Jan 31 deadlines. Mercersburg (where your ssat and grades won’t hurt you and you are a legacy) and St. Mark’s come to mind. If you don’t need FA, then there’s a reasonable chance that you may still find a place after March 10th, if things don’t work out at MX. </p>

<p>I wish you the best of luck. Try to stop worrying over MX because there’s nothing really you can do at this point.</p>

<p>I know this is about dealing with rejection, and I’m straying from the point. However, if it’s not too late, I think you should look at a local day/catholic school. Even though you may not want to attend, it would be a great backup and be a strong school to reapply from. I can say that getting an acceptance letter from your local day school really does calm the stress. I don’t necessarily want to go there, but I know that I have a back-up if M10 doesn’t work out in my favor. I’m facing the prospect of rejection as well, and it’s always good to have a safety.</p>

<p>Middlesex has a 19% admit rate. Would u jump out of a airplane w a parachute that had less than a 1-in-5 chance of opening?</p>

<p>Reserve chute…</p>

<p>It’s tough, I know from experience. My advice is to try again.</p>

<p>So… GMT: Having 5 parachutes that all have a 1 in 5 chance of opening is good. I see your logic.</p>

<p>I know how rejection feels, as I am a reapplicant. Truthfully I imagined myself crying if I didn’t get in last year, but to be honest, I literally looked at the rejection letters and when up to my parents saying I got rejected. That was all. I do care a lot though about going to boarding school so my actions above weren’t because I wasn’t as committed. But overall, if you believe you will get rejected, you WILL get rejected. Being rejected isn’t the end of the world, you still have the same hope and you can reapply</p>

<p>Yeah, I’m with BHADES on this one, I got rejected from Andover last year, only school I applied to, but while there was a lot of disbelief, anger, all that fun stuff, by the end of it, I think I learned a lot from the process itself. So even if you don’t get in, which you hopefully will, the application process gets you a headstart on college apps too.</p>

<p>@mrnephew is correct. You learn so much from the application process that it really helped this year and I already know what to expect for college apps. Our perks if we go to boarding school is that we went through the process twice!</p>

<p>Exactly. If we don’t get in, that will be terrible, but we can still see the silver lining, right?</p>