I just always thought everything would work out

Of your 6 WLs, find which one you like the most and send in a phenomenal letter of interest. Send letters to all the ones you like, but do the work for the one you like the most. Don’t just do the continued interest form, write a detailed letter showing your vision of what you can accomplish at the school. Mention professors you want to work with, school specific opportunities that you can thrive in and the works.

Then you wait and if you get off the WL that’s fantastic.

But during that time, research your matches and safeties. Look at their programs, the majors, clubs, talk to your fellow Class of 2025ers. And realize that an Ivy/T50whatever stamp is not going to guarantee anything. Plenty of kids go to awesome schools just because they’re lucky as heck and have things just work out for them (tutoring, prep school, legacy, dad donated a building). But you don’t need a name brand to be smart or successful.

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