Planning for Rejection

<p>Well, I had a great interview and found my self very optimistic for a while. Then I realized that, hell, even with a good background the admission process is somewhat random and most likely and unfortunately, most of us including myself has a much higher potential to be rejected. Even though I’m not a Harvard fanatic (i applied because it was non-binding), getting rejected from anything/one is a slap against my ego (especially if your competing friends get accepted) and will most likely slow me down for a couple of crucial days if I approach the decision . I will probably read the email, curse the univeristy, imagine what went wrong, what my future is, think about the future of US democracy and the Norweigian economy, think of a way to avoid the “wrath” of dissapointed and embarassed Asian parents and then go to sleep for the night at 5 PM and wake up late and end up in administrative detention. I will also probably miss the deadlines for all other universities so next year I will probably be the dude that is running up to your car with squeegee begging for some change so I can subscribe to the dialup services so I can come to CC and read about other peoples fortunes and enjoy those meaningless threads about “Chances” (also download some NARLEY songs by 98 degrees (are they in celcius or fahrenheight?, I always ask my self subconciously)).</p>

<p>ANYWAY, the question is-
are you approaching this Harvard EA reply with optimisim or pessimism and Why?</p>

<p>please pardon all incorrectly spelled words (unfortunately, i wasnt one of those indian dudes on espn, my mommy told me i was going to be a failure back then)</p>

<p>slight pessimism because I don't want to get my hopes up too high ^_^</p>

<p>i went back and revised my essay for stanford, yale, princeton. the crap i sent to harvard sucked...</p>

<p>pessimisim - im top 12%. as far as im concerned that cuts my chances by 90%.</p>

<p>1212, save a squeegee for me. I'll try to bring some soap.</p>

<p>Goodness, I have never been so emotional before. I've been snapping at my mom, getting annoed with friends... I think that I don't realize how much I want to get in. I am just seeing this now. Partly, I just want to get this ungodly process over with. But I also just love Harvard, and now I'm wonderng if my "if they-dont-take-me-that-means-they're crap" mentality is just some srt of defense mechanism. Anywas, I have seen how random this whole thing is based on the admssions to columbia and other ivys from my school. I've done all I could have done, and if I dont get in, I think I will deal- it just might take a while.</p>

<p>heh I am very pessimistic. I have a shot but the thing I am expecting to read is a defferal or rejection letter.</p>

<p>optimism</p>

<p>hope for the best, prepare for the worst <-- great attitude</p>

<p>^^ agreed, have a plan B, i.e. other apps already done (or even submitted).</p>

<p>My school makes us hand in all applications by Dec 3rd. In a way, it's good because you dont feel like the world will end if you dont get into your early school.</p>

<p>If you're parents will be embarrassed or dissapointed that their child was rejected from Harvard then I would really suggest that you emancipate yourself. By the way, 98º is in Kelvin.</p>

<p>I am optimistic. Even if I don't get in, at least I will not be worrying about December 14 anymore. Once I get my decision, it's final, and I'll finally be able to resume my normal life, without the worry of college, at least until March.</p>

<p>Optimism and Pessimism in equal doses.</p>

<p>Optimism: I know I sent Harvard a darned good application. Through essays and recommendations and activities, Harvard knows tons about me that will, hopefully, make me un-rejectable. But mostly, I know I am capable of getting into a good school---everyone here is. It may not be Harvard, may not be an Ivy or a top-50, but I know I will end up somewhere that will make me happy. </p>

<p>Pessimism: 3 B+'s on my transcript and an unpredictable share of fortune. But not even Harvard expects everyone to be perfect, so, we'll see.</p>

<p>I love Harvard. What are the lyrics from that song? Ah, yes. "Wait--they don't love you like I love you." That kinda captures how I feel about Harvard, and will continue to feel after Tuesday, no matter if I get in or not.</p>

<p>knowing that I'm going to get rejected is not pessimism... and I know im going to be rejected. that is fine... i have a plan b, a plan c AND a plan d. One of them is sure to work out! And at this point of time, i dont even care which one.</p>

<p>I'm more optimistic than I should be. I have a chance, albeit a bad one. Hopefully, my personality will shine through and they'll see me for the wonderful person I am <em>cough</em>. I've been fantasizing about being accepted all week. Plus, I'm banking on getting accepted, because then I wouldn't have to put any real effort into my other applications. Hell, I'd probably just send the same application I sent to Harvard.</p>

<p>Then there's that damned voice in my head that whispers reality. "deferral . . . .dererral. . ."</p>

<p>I'm having strange dreams that involve trekking across the country (on foot and using the public busing system) in order to find my Harvard decision. It reminds me of those "choose-you-own-ending" books they give to little kids. (Do you stop in Kansas to find a Toto look-alike or continue on to Nevada? Kansas...I'm sorry, a tornado is rampaging and you have been deferred.) </p>

<p>I need Tuesday.</p>

<p>Wow... So do I.</p>

<p>My dreams involved myself and one of my best friends shopping for Cal Berkeley merchandise, and another one of my friends converting to Judaism... I dunno.</p>

<p>I need tuesday to come around. I'm optimistic, but I see things I could have done differently, but I have great backup schools, so either way...if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. It's in God's hands now.</p>