<p>I'm a very weird person. After every single test I take, I am equal parts hopeful and pessimistic. The optimistic, slightly idealistic part of me hopes that I did perfectly well on the test, full marks. The pessimistic part of me shoots my optimism down, telling myself what is realistic, and then some. It's a form of self-torture.</p>
<p>I've applied the same concept to my colleges. Deep down, I hope that I get accepted to all 11 of the schools I've applied to, but realistically, I've been telling myself the exact opposite: that I will be rejected from all those that aren't my safeties (MIT, and the like).</p>
<p>What are your thoughts about optimism vs pessimism when applied to the college application process? How do you deal with rejection from a school you really want to go to?</p>
<p>
In my opinion, if you’re optimistic, it will help you (emotionally) before you get your decision. If you’re pessimistic, it will help you after you get your decision (if you’re rejected).
It takes a lot of conscious work to override what you expect deep down (whatever that is), so you have to decide for yourself whether it’s worth it or not.
I’ve been flipping between optimism and pessimism for MIT. Deep down, I want to be optimistic, but I consciously want to be pessimistic.</p>
<p>
The easiest way is to have a safety school that you really want to go to. If not, you just work with what you have and move on.</p>
<p>I’m going to be the stereotypical pessimist and say “I’m not a pessimist, I’m a realist.” When it comes to MIT, what might seem like pessimism to some isn’t really because statistics are not in anyone’s favor. While I know that some people prefer to be optimistic, it’s probably not good to be TOO optimistic about MIT because it might lead to you thinking you’re not good enough if you don’t get in. Plenty of fantastic, qualified students get rejected each year. </p>
<p>Personally, I opt for the “imagine the worst and maybe be pleasantly surprised” school of thought. MIT is a long shot for everyone and, in my opinion, even more of a long shot for me. I’m not saying I won’t be upset if I get rejected, but I won’t think my life is over, my hard work has amounted to nothing, I’m a failure, etc. Instead, I’ll go to another school and make the most of my education (and maybe apply to MIT for grad school).</p>
<p>Being our age, everything seems really important and no amount of people telling us we’ll be okay will convince us otherwise. Even though college decisions are pretty darn important and I care a lot about them, I trust all the people who tell me that if you get a graduate degree, where you go to get your undergrad doesn’t matter, as long as you put forth the necessary effort. Well, logically I trust them, but that doesn’t mean I’m not freaking out anyway! The fact that basically my whole grade and all my teachers know I applied and keep wishing me luck and saying I have to let them know the decision as soon as I find out is certainly not helping to calm my nerves or keep me thinking rationally!</p>
<p>Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst (and always try your hardest!).</p>
<p>I think the best way to go about waiting for decisions is to get yourself very excited about a school that you have already been admitted to. Then the rest of the decisions aren’t as big of a deal.</p>