<p>parenthetical-- so sorry to hear about D’s Amherst denial. i am sure she has 4 other great options, hopefully that she loves??</p>
<p>I agree, the letter was terrible. Here, I can type it up:
After a thoughtful review of your application for admission to Amherst College, the Committee on Admission has decided, with regret, not to hold a place for you in the Class of 2013.</p>
<p>Then it goes on to say how each application was reviewed at length (which is a lie, I read a Boston Globe article that basically made the committee seem as if they quickly skimmed over an applicant’s qualifications and then went “next!”)</p>
<p>idk maybe its not so bad but when i read it i just went “ouch”. the others i’ve read have been much kinder.</p>
<p>^
I suppose “at length” is a subjective phrase, but I’m pretty sure the committee really does read people’s essays and the like in order to make informed decisions. </p>
<p>As for the wording of the letter, the part you quoted doesn’t sound THAT bad.</p>
<p>On second review I agree, it’s not so bad. However, upon first reading it I think that my reaction was similar to others who have been rejected ^^, I was just like “ok, that was mean”. But you’re right, not THAT bad.</p>
<p>However, I must say, in my opinion, it’s still the worst one I’ve gotten so far.</p>
<p>yeah, it was just very blunt to start it off</p>
<p>It sounds awful from the little bit I’ve read - kind of makes you wonder who would want to go to a school where they give such little consideration to how they word their waitlist and rejection letters - a typo on a waitlist letter is very amateurish. After all the work that students put into their Amherst applications, you would think that the letter going back out to them would be well written (or at the very least grammatically correct). Both letters sound pretty nasty and unsympathetic from what I’ve heard…Yuck.</p>
<p>rejected yesterday and did not find out til today.
oh the horror. I guess I wasn’t a good fit for them.</p>
<p>the letter wasn’t that bad… but it makes me feel sad though.</p>
<p>If you live in the midwest but were born and raised in the northeast, you really miss that kind of bluntness. To do otherwise is to eventually waste a lot of valuable time. And too, I honestly don’t think it was that bad. No, not a gentle soft cushion, but the truth? When you opened the letter, didn’t you want it to get to whether or not you got in right away? I thought JHU had an entire paragraph before saying, and “oh, by the way you didn’t get in.” Wasted time. And really, it’s kinda like the beginning of real life so you might as well get used to it; No one cares about your self-esteem anymore. 
(kidding - kinda)</p>
<p>^
Being from the Northeast myself, I concur. I’m not really sure what people expect from a rejection letter to be honest. I do feel for the people who got rejected, though. </p>
<p>Being a bit older than most undergrad students, I realize that this whole college admissions business is not the biggest event in the world. I’m sure it feels like it is to bright high school seniors, but I’m certain that promising individuals will find a way to live promising lives regardless of whether or not they go to Amherst College.</p>
<p>Oh, I feel HORRID for those rejected. It stings regardless of what other schools accept you. Certainly you don’t want to read: “we read, we considered, we rejected.” But dressing it up and putting pillows all around it doesn’t change the message.</p>
<p>I am considerably older than most all undergrad students and while not the biggest event in the world - which I cant even think of such an event - College acceptances are a major milestone for an 18 yr old senior in HS. I understand the deep disappointment but agree that even for those rejected, it seems there are some pretty great options on their plate without this one (still sucks). And too, I’d be a huge liar to even suggest my son wants anything less than a “Congratulations!”</p>
<p>Tick Tock… tomorrow is here. Where’s the mailman???</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>My sentiments exactly!</p>
<p>The Amherst College letter for my son came in the mail a few minutes ago. Pretty thin and definitely not promising like the acceptances he has gotten (some by FEDEX or UPS). I think he will be relieved but more importantly he will know that no matter what happened with Amherst or any other college result he is loved deeply and that the decision he is about to make on his own is one that we support. We will take a few visit trips in April to make sure of his choice. My JOB? To assist in what ever way I am able and to basically stay out of his way! </p>
<p>My wife and I have talked numerous times about the stress and anxiety this whole process puts families through not to mention the individual applying. Like it or not, it is the way it is. I hope and pray that each and every applicant knows deep down inside that they are a valuable human being and that no decision by an organization, school or otherwise, determines that value. Cherish life and realize two things: the sun will rise again and even those accepted at Amherst still put there pants on one leg at a time.</p>
<p>The Amherst College letter for my son came in the mail a few minutes ago. Pretty thin and definitely not promising like the acceptances he has gotten (some by FEDEX or UPS). I think he will be relieved but more importantly he will know that no matter what happened with Amherst or any other college result he is loved deeply and that the decision he is about to make on his own is one that we support. We will take a few visit trips in April to make sure of his choice. My JOB? To assist in what ever way I am able and to basically stay out of his way! </p>
<p>My wife and I have talked numerous times about the stress and anxiety this whole process puts families through not to mention the individual applying. Like it or not, it is the way it is. I hope and pray that each and every applicant knows deep down inside that they are a valuable human being and that no decision by an organization, school or otherwise, determines that value. Cherish life and realize two things: the sun will rise again and even those accepted at Amherst still put their pants on one leg at a time.</p>
<p>I didn’t think the rejection letter was that bad…</p>
<p>But anyways, I always question whether colleges really read EVERYTHING you put on your applications.</p>
<p>I don’t believe the entire committee does. I believe that two people are assigned to your application once submitted, and they look over every inch of it. Once the committee is in session, everyone looks it over briefly while the two who know it give their opinions on it. Maybe 5 minutes later, they vote.</p>
<p>I may be wrong, but that’s how I understood it.</p>
<p>Saw the small envelope and knew I was rejected.</p>
<p>Blahh.</p>
<p>HonestDescendent - Thanks for putting my thoughts into words!</p>
<p>Ehh, whatever. I felt bad but Amherst rejected the val, waitlisted the sal, and rejected everyone else, too. My high school just isn’t too good with LACs, I guess.</p>
<p>Rejected from Amherst, Wesleyan and Williams. Vassar saved the day :D</p>