<p>The funny thing about trusting God or fate or the breezes or whatever it is, is that it is actually about doing your part as best you can, the basic legwork, opening your mind- then trusting that you have done your part and will deal with what comes your way. And, that is good.</p>
<p>But the trick is the legwork. Most good nursing programs are looking at recent changes in med school education, to ramp up the quality of the results. That includes community college programs. You need to be able to afford the school and committed to the work. Cast your net wide.</p>
<p>In such situations, I imagine “the worst” has happened. So, what would I do, if I had no acceptances? Take a gap year, or enroll at a community college, take time to work on my qualifications and reassess. </p>
<p>I don’t think you’ll end up needing to retrench, as your grades and test scores are good, and it sounds as if you are choosing nursing for the right reasons. If your “worst” happens, though, it’s good to know the world won’t end. As a glass-half-empty sort of person myself, though, if you can deal with the worst consequences of a decision, making an effort to avoid such consequences becomes easier.</p>
<p>So you hate Salem State - no problem. Massachusetts is blessed with a number of fine schools both private and public, rural, suburban and urban. You need to develop a plan that includes matches and safeties - both academic and financial - that have the program you want. Its up to you to put the time and effort into implementing your plan and then once the applications are submitted, trust yourself that you made good choices. </p>
<p>So to answer your specific question, I don’t say anything to my daughter when she is “afraid of not getting in anywhere” because she doesn’t think like that. She has a plan, has worked very hard and has enough confidence in herself that she doesn’t fret needlessly. This is not to say that she believes she will get in everywhere she applies but she knows there is a spot for her somewhere. Every school on her list is somewhere she can be happy.</p>
<p>Well, it happens that I had my first day of school today and I ran into my favorite teacher. He asked me about the schools on my list, and I told him them (ALL 18!) and he just looked at me, smiled, and said,“The fact that you’re willing to apply to so many Schools shows some serious ambition. And you’re a smart girl. You’ll get in to a few, you’ll get rejected by a few, but you’ve overcome worse challenges.” </p>
<p>This probably worked better than it would have a couple weeks ago-I fell in love with a safety school, and I know I’m going to be happy somewhere. </p>
<p>(Plus, I got a few free applications-those are always confidence boosters!)</p>