Rejected from Stanford, MIT, NU, Caltech, Princeton, Penn, and Cornell. Going to attend Berkeley CoC. Not that I really care; I really like Berkeley, and it was one of my top choices anyway. But I can’t help but feel a little down. Does so many rejections mean that I’m destined for a life of mediocrity? I can’t stand the idea of being second best. All the rejection letters say that it’s not a judgment of your worth. But something tells me otherwise.
Also, my stats are well in the range for those schools.
4.0 uw gpa
2320 SAT
Mad decent EC’s
Since all the students accepted at those colleges are exceptional, most of those rejected are “well within” the statistical range. There are simply many more qualified students than there are places. On what planet would Berkeley be labeled “mediocre?”
You’re not second best. We are all way down on the list.
Lots of people shine at their high schools, but what I don’t think many people realize until they go through the admissions process (I certainly didn’t) is that there are multiple stars at each high school. Thousands of high schools in the U.S. Thousands more in the world. (Insert constellation metaphor here.)
Nobody is even CLOSE to being the best, or second best. You are you. You are the best you. But neither you nor anyone else is the best in your state, in your country, in the world.
There are lots of great and accomplished people out there. Don’t be jealous of them because you think they’re “higher” than you; don’t knock them down, either. Just join their ranks. Not as the best or second best or third best. But as one of many wonderful, smart students.
Basically what @bodangles said. Sure, you’re grades and resume may look perfect to a high schooler but what top colleges are looking for isn’t someone who is perfect on paper, but someone who they feel is exceptional and will make a positive influence (and some preferably some bank while they’re at it to donate to the school) in the world.
If it makes you feel any better, I was rejected/waitlisted from all those schools. I did not apply to Stanford. Furthermore, I was waitlisted from UCB. Guess how I feel?
And 35 ACT, research at highly reputable institutions. 4.0 UW, 13 APs, 800 Math, 800 Phys, 790 Bio, stellar essays and recs.
Each school is building a class with a different theme.
They need to put together classes that they think will jell together. The adcoms are beginning to read through the lines and some years they look for a theme because now, everyone looks the same. It’s not that your record wasn’t good, it’s just that they build a core group and pick according to that group.
This is exactly what I’m talking about. I’m perfectly okay with the fact that my low SAT math 2c probably contributed to a few of those rejections. That was completely my fault, and I’ll admit I could’ve studied harder. What really hits me hard though is the thought that these colleges rejected me for my “intangibles;” it’s almost like a sign that the personality I put forward on my essays and rec letters was not indicative of someone who would be successful and contribute to an intellectual atmosphere. Of course, I’m probably reading too much into it. But I truly desire to be exceptional, and I hope freshman admissions won’t seal my fate.
Bro, you’d better get used to being second best. You’re not going to be best all the time. Take this as a good life lesson; otherwise, you’re going to have severe problems post-high school. Berkley’s a fantastic school; besides, it’s got better weather than more than half of those schools
Agree with @woogzmama. Cal has about as high a percentage of high-achievers as some Ivies: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1682986-ivy-equivalents-p3.html
The low end is lower than the Ivies because Cal is a much bigger school, but the high end is just as high. So considering that literally tons of folks have gone to Cal and become amazingly successful, this idea that you’re destined for mediocrity if you go to Cal just sounds too inane.
College admissions are dumb. I am just so upset with how things have turned out, honestly.
Same position here. I expected to be accepted to at least one… I was accepted to a few safety schools so I guess its okay…but still the results are not what I had expected.
For whatever reason, I’ve noticed that it is more difficult to get into the big names on the east coast from Cali - probably an over-representation thing
there are all sorts of bright, motivated kids who have no desire to attend the schools that rejected you. They are making plans to attend good schools and are thrilled with their plans. Would you call them mediocre or destined to be average? No, because you’d never be that rude. Don’t do it to yourself either. You knew you were applying to long shots. Make a new plan and allow yourself to see that it’s a great one.
Berkeley is a fantastic school! That is not even a safety, it’s a great top school. You will do very well and you are so fortunate to have that offer. Try not to worry about the schools that rejected you, it’s only because they have way too many applicants, and they are almost all 99th percentile kids, like yourself. My son was denied by all the ivies he applied to also, and for what it’s worth, he would have loved to go to Berkeley, but we are not CA residents, so it was not an option for us. Best of luck! 
Congratulations on Berkley! You are not second best. Berkley is a great school. CELEBRATE!
My S got 4,0 GPA unweighted. 2250 SAT, lots of leadership, captains of sports, Missions trips, formed a service club, etc. Got into safeties schools . Did not get into UCLA, WL at UCBerkeley. I think his essay was not top notch. Sigh.
As a senior in high school going through the same struggle as you are, I understand. I wanted to go to the best school possible; and sometimes, it doesn’t happen exactly as we initially planned it. However, Berkley is an amazing school! The opportunities are limitless there. Just like lots of other students, we have to learn that sometimes we have to change our plans in ways we did not intend at first, but one day when you look back you will realize that despite the rejections you made it and can do whatever you put your mind to. That’s something that I have to recite to myself everyday. I got rejected to all my top choices and got accepted to Emory which I didn’t really consider to be the school that I wanted to attend; but hopefully I will learn to see the bright side despite what I consider to be my misfortunes. And one day, you will too.
Please don’t public ally complain that the best school you got into is one of the best on the planet. See the glass as 3/4 full and buy your t-shirt and hoody.