Ok, real talk. Decisions for a lot of schools start coming out in less than a week, and will continue all throughout December. I really need a way to give up on my Early school and focus my attention on perfecting my RD apps (so many supplements to write…). I keep reviewing my submitted app and thinking about my chances, and I know I’ll be pretty sad if I don’t get in (I may have no motivation after to write my other college supplements well, so I need to get on top of it and finish all my essays before that decisions comes out). How do I stop this and instead channel my energy into creating the best RD app I can? Thanks! 
Write yourself a fake rejection letter/email from your dream school and mail it to yourself. Convince yourself it is real, cry a bit, and move on to your RD applications.
Your early school may defer you and accept you RD. Think about how nice it will be able to take another look at them at that point to decide if they are still your first choice. Then start the work to make sure they’ll have serious competition!
Just DECIDE it’s a rejection and write it off, no looking back. No chancing. Nothing. (Pro tip: Lots of people end up unhappy at their so-called dream schools.)
Now find at least one thing about each of your other options that appeals to you. Focus on each of those. Expand on those. Especially for any that are matches or especially likelies. I guarantee there is something unique and delightful about each of them. Your job is to find it and learn more.
Really, spend ZERO time on your “dream school.” The die is cast already.
If you get in, the surprise and delight will be even better. If you don’t, you’ll be better prepared to move on. Win-win.
Life is full of dreams with some really happening and other disappointments. There are also life paths that we take without never planning to go on there. The sisters taught when God closes a door, He opens a window. Some things are major disappointments that you learn to accept.
Not getting into your dream school would be very sad but you can’t stop. You would learn that the dream school has both joy and disappointment. I would look over your other choices to find what is really pleasing and build from there. Focus on the communities such as events, amenities, climate, proximity to great parks and cities. Getting state tourism books show the state and communities to their best. These guides are dream books. Finally, look at schools outside your region because there are many great options.
Set it aside. You did everything you could, now it’s out of your hands.
If you get in, great.
If you don’t… you will be crushed. So, you need to get as much done NOW before you feel terrible. The worst isn’t to get rejected from your ED school. The worst is getting rejecting from your ED school and being so dejected you can’t get decent apps out by the ED2 and RD deadlines… and getting rejected there too.
Keep things in perspective: the goal is getting into college.
Agree with the above. You gave your ED school your best shot and now it is out of your hands. It is time to move on to your other applications.
I definitely agree with the above. You gave it your best shot, now move on.
However, I will also point out that it is almost impossible for a high school student to know what a university is actually going to be like until you get there. The biggest part is the academics. What is it like going to classes next year, what will you professors be like, how much homework will there be and how hard will it be, what will the tests be like and how will they be graded? You can’t really know all of this. What will your roommate be like and what sort of people will be in your dorm? How will you deal with doing your own laundry, getting yourself up in the morning, getting yourself to classes, and so on? Most high school students don’t pick a “dream school” with a full understanding of all of this because it is pretty much impossible to fully anticipate it all. However, universities exist largely to provide a environment in which incoming students can learn to live and study away from home and learn to thrive.
Whichever university you go to, there will be many great professors and probably a few so-so ones. Whichever university you go to there will be a large number of activities available – you will probably have no interest in most but will find a few that interest you. Whichever university you go to there will be people like you – probably in larger number than there were in high school.
In short, university is going to be a very interesting experience with a lot of opportunities where ever you go. Now get your RD applications in so that you will have some great schools to choose from over the next few months.
Be less focused on “it” and more focused on you.
Be less pie in the sky and more feet on the ground.
Whatever advantage or prestige you attribute to The ED Dream School would be energy better spent in your immediate actions.
Jump through the remaining hoops of your RD apps with professional detachment and a cool head.
Be about you. Be your own best friend.
Try not to dream. Wake up and go to work.
Be less attached to fame and less dependent on the opinion of others.
Get cracking. Don’t even read this thread!
Many schools are not all that different…Big State U’s are very simiilar, Engineering oriented schools are similiar, LACs, etc Once you find the type of school you are interested there are many similar schools so don’t concentrate on a DREAM school.
Think about your dream school and figure out what makes it so dreamy. I will bet yoru other schools have many of those characteristics.
Change the dream. Dream about getting your degree, photos with big smiles all around. An interesting career that lets you support yourself. Any school that helps you get there will help you live a very possible dream.
Exactly. Life is long. College is a blip. Play the long game.
Start your other apps now, get yourself immersed in them. It can be a real problem when a student who doesn’t get into their ED school hasn’t done much work on their other apps. There are reasons your other schools are on your list. Remind yourself of those and get working this week.