So like many I know I was rejected from almost all of the colleges I thought were the place for me. So I will start with my stats just to give some context: 34 act 800 sat bio, 790 chem 3.8 gpa 4.0 weighted. The ringer is my ec I have been involved with research in mol bio on a project focused on aging for two years. in this project I made a lot of progress and while I didn’t win intel or siemens I did win some awards like 2nd in a very competitive research competition (long island). Also I do independent research in math and won the long island math fair with my project. This is on top of being the president of our schools science national honor society and captain of a trivia team and board member for key club. So like so many others I applied to the whole lot of super selective schools duke,uc berkeley, HYP, Cornell, upenn, candy, hopkins, uchicago. Story short I got rejected from all beside wait list from cornell. I did however get into Colgate my fathers alma mater which I had applied to at the last minute. So after the ivy decision day and the week leading up to it I was extremely distraught. The next week was one of the worst, I just couldn’t get out of a depressive funk. I realize that my GPA was certainly not up to par and this could have the deciding factor. I instantly regretted my 9th and 10th grades which just hadn’t been completed with the passion and dedication I found in 11th grade. Now all the while I began to really look into Colgate which would likely be the only option (sure I had some other safeties). I turned out to be very impressed. Colgate has a great molecular bio/neurobio program that is well funded and with a small group. I also found a professor there interested in the same concepts of aging and development that I have been researching. So I contacted him and planned to meet during the admitted students day. Even before I meet him that day I was highly impressed by Colgate. It was nice and had a feel like that of Princeton(My original #1). The students I meet were very nice and obviously of a high caliber. Then I meet with the professor. He was great and was also happy that I had taken interest. I found out that he would be willing to work with me on my own research proposal. On top of funding I could also receive a research stipend! When I got home I found out I had been admitted to Cornell (My original #2). Today I decided I would be attending Colgate. It is not about the prestige of the college it is about how well you utilize the resources avalible, at least for attending grad school. It means more to do research and succeed at a lower tier university that to fall middle of the pack at a top tier one. So for those crushed about rejection I recommend reaching out to the schools that do want you, you are a top student and have the ability to succeed without the ivy league. Best wishes
"It is not about the prestige of the college it is about how well you utilize the resources avalible"
Yes! Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Just about anyone who applies to uber selective schools is going to get rejected many times. The percentages speeak for themselves.
Wonderful outcome! Best of luck in your college career!
afruitflyguy,
Your story gives a much needed (and I hope very much appreciated) insight into the college selection process and your self-awareness. Let’s hope it gets readership among those uber competitive applicants and especially among their excessively brand-conscious parents who populate the CC readership.
Further, as a proud alumnus of Colgate, I am delighted you have made this choice. You will have a splendid 4 years achieving your goals in academia and extracurricular development. Yep, the depressive funk and distraught days are
over, and you can collaborate on your passion for learning to your heart’s content using Colgate’s superb faculty, staff and student resources!
Congratulations on entering the Colgate Class of 2019, its bicentennial class.
Go 'gate!
OP, I already posted on your other thread, but I want you to know that I will have my son (currently finishing freshman year) read this thread. Your maturity and insight are impressive (and hard-won!) Again, congratulations!
What a wonderful story! Congratulations OP.
Awesome!