<p>Sorry to push your buttons, PiperXP. My reactions to the OP’s words hit home and, while this is an MIT thread, I was not whining about my kid not getting into MIT (we knew it was a long,long, long shot and there’s certainly no “entitlement complex” involved)… my responses were, as I said, based on my surprise that many, many high performing students are now even getting turned down at “small state schools” (here in California, anyway). And, yes, we do have a culture of uber-helicopter parenting and yes, many of my kids friends’ families have spent thousands and thousands of dollars on tutoring, test-prep etc. I was able to offer those things, they (sanely) declined and I backed off trusting that it would all work out – and it will! But the more “groomed” kids who have professional “essay readers” (borders on cheating in my opinon) ARE getting the edge and ARE getting those spots in state schools. </p>
<p>I don’t begrude your success in ANY way. MIT is obviously in a position to accept the best of the best into their programs - and those students, yourself included, are inherently gifted so, for many, I assume “prep” simply involved following a passion and working hard as you say.</p>
<p>Again, I was only empathizing with the original OP on a general level and my experience is not with off-the-scale brilliant students, but with “very good” students who have gotten surprising results from what we thought was a “safety” (Cal Poly)… they have yet to hear from many universities and they do have some nice options “in the bag” (UMich, Mines, etc.) … and yes, I will let them find their own way. Thank you for the discussion and good luck at MIT!</p>
<p>^ Ah, I misinterpreted you as talking about MIT. Apologies!</p>
<p>I can’t say I know too much about other systems, though I think what I said here still stands:</p>
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<p>Cal Poly tends to be at the top of the Cal State system, if I remember correctly. It might be the case that it’s time for students to start looking more mid-pack. </p>
<p>I also thought that the Cal State and UC systems have guaranteed entrance into the system with certain GPA/SAT requirements? It’s been 7 years since I was applying to those, so I’m recalling from vague memories, but in theory I think your kids should be able to get into the system overall, if not their preferred campus.</p>
<p>You are a winner. You set a goal and worked out a plan to achieve it. You studied and worked hard and in so doing bettered yourself in a big way. </p>
<p>MIT is a crapshoot for any student and you happened to end up on the wrong side of the fence. So be it. You are still the better person for trying and will do great wherever you go to college. Keep up the good work.</p>
<p>Best wishes and good luck with your future plans.</p>
<p>Yes, MIT is an awesome place in certain ways. But, there a wide variety of other awesome places that would be glad to have you if you work that hard and care that much.</p>
<p>It’s just a school - it’s not a maker of dreams or a shaper of lives. THAT’S YOU. And you can do that wherever you go. Sure, there are plenty of really successful MIT grads. But I guarantee you there is larger group of people who are more “successful”* than most MIT grads who did not come here (or other HYPS type schools for that matte).</p>
<p>I’m not telling you that you shouldn’t be upset, because it’s really hard not to get something you’ve wanted and have worked hard for. So, be upset for awhile, wounds to take time to heal. But make sure you don’t forget about how awesome you are and how awesome you can be in places that aren’t MIT.</p>
<p>*Quotes because what does that mean, anyways?</p>
<p>Well, reject here, albeit more like “not admitted”… perhaps future MIT transfer or grad student? But I am kind of happy that my application actually managed to at least pass the EA cycle, which means that in MIT’s eyes, I certainly have the potential to succeed in STEM and life in general. </p>
<p>I completely understand that Cambridge is not big enough to house all highly-talented MIT applicants, so congratulations to those who got in, and good luck in surviving MIT!
Though, I did enjoy the whole application process. The essays, the blog posts, the interviews, the suspenseful wait. I mean, I always thought that I would have a rough time just being accepted at a local state U.(Says a lot about my self-esteem, really) But not being outright rejected by an university such as MIT? That has really surprised me. </p>
<p>Though, I would have to say that MIT really helped me wake up and find my passion. I mean, it has always been there, but it pretty much got clouded by this SAT&GPA obsession, to the point that, dare I say, I nearly lost part of what makes me human. So I will do what will be the best for me - I shall follow my passion, whether I would be in Massachusetts or anywhere else!</p>
<p>Anyway, these were some fun four years. Stressful? Yes. Tiring? Yes. But a valuable learning experience that will certainly enrich my future? Absolutely.
So to conclude, farewell, but not forever.</p>
<p>MIT’s acceptance rate for transfers is dismal at best. Just enjoy the school you select. You must be pretty smart just to have made it as far as you did in the app process. At your college you will meet interesting, smart people. Do your best and don’t look back. As you progress in your studies, you’ll figure out whether MIT is the place for your grad work (it may turn out not to be for whatever reason).</p>
<p>My DD didn’t get into her first choice and was quite upset about it. She went to her second choice and now wonders why she even considered her first choice at all. She is doing great and loves it. You will do the same.</p>
<p>I know that this is a very difficult time, but I urge any students who were rejected at MIT not to go to whatever college they will be attending next year with the mindset that they will transfer into MIT for the fall of 2014. There are two big problems with this mindset. First off, you will waste one precious year of your undergraduate studies telling yourself, “This isn’t my place, I’m just biding my time here until I get to go to MIT.” I think it would be much better to spend that year trying to find things you love at the university you attend. If you try, really try, to find your place at the university you attend next year and still feel like it isn’t the place for you, then think about transferring. I just know that a lot of people tell themselves that there is one place they belong, but I think there isn’t a single person in this world who would only be happy at one university. I know that I love my college (that is not MIT) and think it is the most amazing place on earth, but I also realize that there are a bunch of other colleges that I would have loved also. MIT is wonderful, but it isn’t the only wonderful university.</p>
<p>The second issue is that you could (not to be a Debbie downer) be rejected when you apply as a transfer. By going into your freshman year with the mindset that you’ll be at MIT for sophomore year, you’re setting yourself up for heartbreak should your transfer application be rejected.</p>
<p>I’m not trying to criticize anyone. I’m simply trying to offer a different perspective. While telling yourself that you’ll transfer may feel like a way to ease the pain, it may end up being a way to draw the pain out. Best of luck to you all!</p>
<p>lurker31413: Thank you for this beautiful post. I hope that you share what you’ve written with those close to you so that they can know how you truly feel and help you push through it.</p>
<p>I’m sure it will take a while to feel better again, but I’m confident that you will because you’ve already figured it out: You said, “Or maybe I did everything right; staying true to my values and having some fun while avoiding becoming an over-worked product of test scores and award lists.” Yes, you did do it right, and your writing that suggests that you know it. So, take the time to heal, then just embrace your wisdom!</p>
<p>That was one of the best posts I have ever read on here. You didnt whine or complain. Just a very heart-felt response. Just judging by your writing skills, I can tell you are very capable and passionate. I know its hard and painful but continue working. Success awaits you in the future. Good luck my friend.</p>
<p>“to break down the habit of picturing myself at MIT.” </p>
<p>This is the worst part of the rejection. It’s those moments when you’re bored and start day-dreaming, and you have to consciously correct yourself as you drift into the “when I’m at MIT” zone. However, I must point out that now is a good time to realize that you’re very lucky to even have the opportunity to be applying to college. Just think about all the amazing, intelligent kids who don’t even have the chance to have a formal education. There is much more to life than college. Anyway, I’m sorry for your results…I can empathize.</p>
<p>This is probably going to the be the weirdest response, but there are people who have literally taught themselves what is equivalent to a bachelor’s program at a university. A school doesn’t guarantee success, and the employers who would hire someone just because a Harvard degree are just as stupid as the person who thinks they will get hired just because of that. Our world is changing every day, and when I hear people talk about famous people from Cambridge University, Harvard, MIT or other places, and all those famous professors that literally teach you what they’ve invented or wrote… this doesn’t make students better off at all. Professors are not magicians, they can’t create a vehicle that travels at the speed of light, they can’t make you a better person automatically, nor a perfect student, and nor will a school make you any better just because it is widely perceived and talked about in a wrongful way. Don’t picture yourself at a school, because if you do, you don’t have a goal, you’re not thinking about you, you’re not focusing on what you want to be, nor are you focusing on what can be done to get there. Success doesn’t come from a school, success comes from self-esteem, and no, not just hard work, but rather smartness. Good luck.</p>