I have been accepted at 3 colleges that I kind of liked when I visited, and waitlisted at all the schools (3) that I really wanted to go to. At first I was excited about the acceptances at the schools I have been accepted at, but the more I think about going there, the sadder I become. I struggle with depression already, and have missed two days of school since decisions have been released because I’m having trouble getting the desire to go school without a decent goal to work for.
I know the schools I am already accepted into are good, and I will be able to succeed and any of them, but I have no desire to attend. The accepted students days could make me slightly more okay with my options, but I just don’t know. I’m still hoping to get in off of a waiting list, but those chances are slim. Should I choose my school with plans to transfer after freshman year? Should I just settle and be miserable for the next four years of my life? Would a gap year be the best option? Should I flip a coin?
If the schools that you’ve been accepted to have admitted students days, go! You might hit it off with fellow students there or find that you like the idea of going to one of the schools more than you initially did.
If none of the schools still feel exciting or interesting, then I would say consider a gap year-- if not to apply to other schools, then to find your interests and go into college with less of a “settling” kind of feeling.
I agree, it is grief. Rejection is tough. Quijote made a good suggestion about going to the admitted student days. That can make such a difference in your attitude!
@NotSteveBuscemi - I’ve seen your thread and a lot of others where you students are stressed about your choices and making the right decision. I want to give you all a collective hug, tell you take a deep breath, and relax! This is not a decision that need to be made in days or even the next couple weeks. You have a month. Use that month. Make visits if feasible. Based on our own family experience, the visits will likely bring some clarity. Give yourself some time to relax for the next week, sleep some, have some fun, decompress, and go to classes.
The whole application process is stressful. You have wonderful options and now its your turn to sit in the catbird seat and let the schools woo you. That can be fun! Don’t try to rush the process too much.
You can always consider transferring but I would suggest you go into the option you choose with an open mind for at least a semester. There really is no dream school that is a panacea.
I kind of get how you feel but I remember seeing you had good options. Plus you got accepted at 50% of your schools and no rejections. I got into less than a quarter of schools I applied to including nine rejections! You did a lot better than me although I was expecting the rejection. I love some of my options but I still feel a little bad after so many negative results. I think it’s natural but I would definitely go to the admitted students days and I bet you’ll feel a lot better. Good luck!
@doschicos, I love what you wrote and I want to add to the group hug.
@NotSteveBuscemi, first of all do something very nice for yourself. You’ve been accepted to 3 colleges and rejected at none! That is a really good thing and many of your peers out there who would love to be in your spot. Try to celebrate the good stuff.
I know it feels bad and that you are disappointed after working so hard at putting these applications together. You put your heart and soul into it and it feels like a personal rejection. It isn’t but this process sucks. Even the people making the decisions know that this process sucks. Experience the hurt but don’t wallow in it. Move past it and open your mind to the schools that have accepted you. Go to the admitted students days and try your best to have some fun. Treat yourself to some swag (and grab everything they are giving away). Really look at the opportunities and go out of your way to meet prospective classmates. I promise you that you are going to be happily surprised if you give yourself half a chance.
@Purpletitan I’m getting stuff taken care, I needed to before exposing myself to the stresses of college any how.
I’m still going to try improving my applications so I might possibly be considered from waitlist from my top choices, but I’m starting to become okay with my acceptances. With one of them, I can still attend class at my first choice and spend time on the campus, so that’s a plus.
Though I’m disappointed, I plan on heading to visits with an open mind. It’s been over a year since visiting some of them, so knowing that I am accepted might make me like a school better than I did a year ago when anything was a possibility. I’ll post an update in the next two weeks, after visits.
Whether or not you take a gap year, I don’t see how it could hurt to go to the accepted student days, as you might change your mind and hopefully the pressure would be less if you aren’t sure if you will be attending college at all.
To have the flexibility to take classes at another school, that’s great!
Looking at your past posts, I think you’re talking about bryn mawr-- if so, the two campuses are unbelievably connected and similar in spirit. If you really end up not liking bmc you can even dorm or major at haverford!
And, as a fun fact, one of the classes that I sat in on at haverford (a high level language class) ended up being all bmc students!
I looked into a gap year of maybe volunteering in Latin America, which would cost way less than what I would be paying in tuition and probably end up being more beneficial in terms of language learning than Freshman college courses would. I’m probably going to end up going to college next, but in the case that I do not, I’m trying to have an idea what I could do instead.
@Quijote Yes, I’m talking about the Bryn Mawr. The Bi-Co is one of the reasons I applied to the school because of all the options. When I go down to visit Bryn Mawr on accepted students day, I might go over and walk around Haverford’s campus for awhile because the two are so interconnected, or maybe not. We’ll see.
@NotSteveBuscemi The glass is half FULL. Many students would give their right arm to have your choices. It’s normal to be anxious. Seize the day. College is just four short years of your life. Please seek help for your depression.
