Good Evening everyone. As some of you might know, today was “Ivy League Day”. Some people got into the college of their dreams today-sadly, I didn’t. I have always wanted to attend Princeton or Harvard and I was flat out rejected today; no, I was not waitlisted, but I was given the big “R”. Luckily, my safety schools are not that bad, but I still want to live out my dream of going to Harvard or Princeton. Could anyone give me any advice and direction? For example, Should I retake standardized tests and re apply? Any other input would be great, thanks.
You could always try transferring of course. The odds aren’t stellar, but then again, the odds of applying as a freshman aren’t either. Good luck!
Pick the school you like the best of the ones you were accepted at and move forward. There is so much more to life than attending an Ivy school.
Princeton does not take transfers and Harvard admitted 13 transfer students last year. As happy1 says, move forward. Reapplying is not likely to do anything; if they didn’t admit you this year, your chances are probably lower that they’d accept you next year. Increasing your test scores is meaningless since I assume you did well enough to be considered at these colleges. Getting a 2400 will not guarantee admission. Grad school is always an option. But take the opportunities you have, enjoy them, and try not to look back as disappointed as you may be today. Best to you!
Be awesome at the school you go to in the fall…talk to professors, try to do research…and then maybe for Grad School!
Look at what they look for in grad school applicants and try to do those things in undergrad. Chances are you will change your mind in the next 4 years when you see that there is a lot going on in the world besides what is happening at those two campuses, but if not, you will be in a position to get in then.
You can always transfer if that’s really where you want to go. It’s possible that you have all the qualities and achievements to belong at the school of your dreams, they just weren’t conveyed 100% in your application so to the admissions officers, they never happened. If you decide to transfer, make sure those details are all included and you show fit compellingly.
@top252ivy re-read post #3
OP: you’ve been given lots of good advice about loving the schools that accepted you. It’s time to step away from the H and P pursuit. Anything else would be stunningly unwise at this point.
OP…A number of years ago at my college, we had a student who was rejected from Harvard in the room next to me and a student who did not get into Princeton two doors down. The student who wanted H, had a wonderful undergraduate career and later graduated from Harvard Law. He is a partner with a big time investment firm. The student who wanted Princeton later earned a Stanford MBA and MD. He’s a big time hedge fund manager and Chairman of several well known companies. He and his wife bought a $36MM Manhattan apartment a few years back.
These two gentlemen have done quite well and better than a lot of H and P grads.
It’s YOUR DECISIONS THAT MATTER not those of some admissions office.
Good luck with your college decision.
Don’t give up your dream of attending these universities, but be practical. Princeton does not take transfers and Harvard normally takes below 15 of thousands of applicants. Focus on your Undergrad experience and grades and if you still have your ivy dream then apply for graduate school. IMO
Great advice. Thanks guys.