<p>Perhaps it would be neat and tidy if every applicant could have their emotions in check during the application process and know that a reach is a reach and that a match does does not mean a thick envelope or a happy email. But thank goodness our kids are not drones and they are going to apply to the hard schools and believe they have a shot because they believe in themselves. That is a wonderful thing that we should not discourage. Yet, when there is an adverse decision, it is great to hear of stories where the child rose above it all and in the process learned so much about the life ahead.</p>