<p>My senior year of college, I was rejected from all 12 schools to which I had applied. They were all top schools around the country - harvard, yale, stanford, swarthmore, rice, northwestern, MIT, caltech, etc. Columbia and Cornell waitlisted me and then rejected me. My weak point was my grades - I just wasn't that focused in high school, and was bored too much of the time to actually work up the motivation.</p>
<p>It kinda sucked.</p>
<p>So, I was already working full time at that point - I had finished most of my high school curriculum and had taken a job at the urging of my parents and my principal. So I just worked another year, and that fall applied ED to Columbia and got in. The deciding factor was the work experience, which proved (along with an LOR from my boss) that i'd grown up a lot and shown maturity in the workplace along with a new work ethic. So that, taken along with my test scores / ECs etc, showed a very different applicant profile, and they took a chance on me.</p>
<p>4 years later, i'm now a columbia graduate who loved every minute of it. I guess I'd say, if you know your weaknesses and can think through how you can mitigate them, with a lot of effort you can get others to look past them.</p>
<p>mozillameister-you are not a drama queen..congratulations on your admission to a good college..they are lucky to have you. Keep your mind and spirit open..we have wonderful faculty at so many US universities and opportunity awaits you.</p>
<p>I think as more and more people learn about College Confidential, the origins and purpose seem to have gotten lost. If I am correct, it started, as stated, as "College Counseling Service, Ivy League and Beyond". I think it has grown to include information on getting into all accredited colleges and universities. But its emphasis on "high achievers" comes from its emphasis on counseling for admission to the ivies. It is a college counseling service, although the discussions section is hugely popular. I cringe when I see vulgar posts, as well as those written by people who don't like that College Confidential "is a bit focused" on upper tier schools.</p>
<p>Don't run away from home.
I'll vouch that Louisiana State University is a good public school. A bit too much of a party college for me, but the atmosphere is just fine. The campus, which borrows architecture from Stanford, is beautiful.
But really, what's so bad about staying where you are?</p>
<p>Congrats to the OP. You will absolutely get the 4-year experience you hoped for in a great college town (Amherst), sandwiched between the city of Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Now, practice saying: "Go, Bills" "Go, Sabres" for our pro football and hockey teams; look on Mapquest how easily you can cross over the Peace Bridge, imagine enjoying both sides of Niagara Falls (Canadian or U.S.), one of the 7 wonders of the world, even in winter when it the Bridal Veil Falls looks like an icy chandelier and you can take an elevator down behind the falls and look at them backwards...beautiful weather in spring, summer and autumn, and a GOOD ATTITUDE about winter, skiing nearby, on-campus plays and concerts. Buffalo is a diamond-in-the-rough. Great airfare deals between NYC and Buf, especially check Expedia.com to compare the 3 NYC airports. JFK=JetBlue, but often just as good deals from Continental (Newark) or USAir (Laguardia). Sometimes Delta, can't remember if they're out of Laguardia or Newark, but expedia will show all of that. If you drive, it takes about 6.5 highway travel hours. There's also a train that comes to a station not far from campus (taxi over). Greyhound's a bit pokey and slow, but that's another way.<br>
YOU HAVE A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO. Welcome to Western New York. Oh ps: nicest people, really down-to-earth, not snobby.</p>
<p>The comment about being against community college unless you only want a two year degree surprised me. Virginia has a law that if you go to one of the state community colleges, like NOVA, and get an associate degree with a minimum 3.5 GPA, then ANY Virginia Univeristy that you want to go to, including William & Mary or UVA, has to accept you as a transfer. I am not sure if you have to be a Virginia resident or not, but given that all state schools have a legal maximum out of state students, I would think so. But if you have your heart set on one of those, are a VA resident, and can't get in now, do it this way. Your UVA diploma will look the same as the kids who were there for four years!</p>
<p>But it seems to me like not a fair game (for a lot of time!) (well, there r definitely a lot of students who face extenuating circumstances....but again, some students slack thru....while others work out real hard to get into the very same school!) It may be just me (thinking like that) anyway, never mind!</p>
<p>Before you knock it--you should consider a community college. Here's why, all community colleges have transfer agreements with lots of school, after 2 semesters of a 3.0 gpa or better you can JUST get into the school they have transfer agreements with nothing else. Look at your local community college, and see what they have to offer..</p>
<p>many years ago (more than 15) i was rejected by my top choice (an ivy league school). i sent them a letter explaining the terrible mistake they had made...and was accepted. so there's always hope and it's always worth trying. effort shows commitment.</p>
<p>jackothesicko, you just learned one of life's lessons. Don't put so many eggs in one basket because it might not work out. Just make the best of what you are able to do. If going to those schools are out of your control now, don't stress over it any longer.</p>
<p>You can always go somewhere else and transfer in probably. Or just go somewhere else entirely and learn to love it. But don't work yourself up so bad because you can't go to two schools you wanted to just yet. That's just life.</p>
<p>I joined this board solely to comment on your post. I'm offended by the dismissive and sarcastic tone of some of the reactions you received.</p>
<p>As a former admissions officer, I can assure you that probably three-quarters of the public and private institutions in the United States will be quite happy to accept someone with grades in the 90's and SATs of 1100 out of 1600. </p>
<p>Most public 4-year universities are essentially open door if you've followed a college prep curriculum (not the Michigan's and the Berkeley's of the world, but most of the others). Many smaller private colleges are essentially open door as well.</p>
<p>So, if you're a senior, you've left it late, but it's not that late. Go see our counselor. Dig up US News and World Report. Select another five places and go for it. Someone posted a list earlier in this thread; they're all fine schools in which you can receive a fine education.</p>
<p>Alternatively, take a year off, do some valuable volunteer work to polish up your resume and take another shot at it next year. You're only 18; plenty of time to create your future and make up for any shortcomings on the transcript. Good luck</p>