Six Things to Remember When Opening College Decisions
1. There is more than one perfect fit for everyone.
There is no such thing as ONE “perfect” school for someone—there could be several! Any quality you like about a specific school can most likely be found in others.
2. It’s not you, it’s them.
Don’t take rejection personally. It says more about them than it does about you! Rejection does not mean your low grade in Chemistry kept you out of your dream school. Rather, a rejection suggests that you deserve a place that would better cater to all of the amazing qualities you bring to the table. Whatever is meant to happen will happen, and if you are rejected, maybe that school did not think they were a good fit for you, and they want to help you find a better fit.
3. Comparison is the thief of joy.
Nobody said it better than Teddy Roosevelt: everyone is on their own journey in life, and that includes the college process. You never know the reasons driving someone to attend a specific school, or the reasons driving a school to accept someone. Recognizing that everyone is different and that it may not always feel fair is crucial to preserving your mental health during the application process.
4. Rejection from your dream school does not mean rejection from your dream career.
Some students may know exactly what they want to do for a career, while others have no idea. No matter how strongly you feel about a particular career path, the college you attend does not inherently limit your opportunities in your professional life. In fact, a degree in anything strengthens your opportunities! There is so much after college that is independent of which college you attend, and keeping an open mindset about other areas of study and potential careers is always a good idea, too!
5. It’s okay to keep your process private.
It is up to you how much you tell your friends, and it is okay to tell them that there are certain details you would rather not share! As long as you respect their boundaries and how much they are willing to share about their own process, they should respect your boundaries and how much you are willing to share as well.
6. Your college does not define you.
So many people judge a school based on acceptance rates, average GPAs, standardized test scores, and general reputation. None of these numbers express your worth or represent your value as a human being. It is really important to remember that your grades and statistics are a tiny portion of your application—you are defined by other incredible experiences, moments, and choices you make, not by which college you ultimately attend.
by HANNAH ELEFANTE