Winter through spring is peak college decision time for seniors in high school. Who’s going where becomes extremely prevalent in conversation amongst peers, and it can feel like the only thing that anyone cares about is which schools people do, or don’t, get into. Amidst all this chaos and pressure, navigating rejection from schools you wanted to, or expected to, attend can be challenging. While the trouble and sadness that come with this experience are expected and warranted, it is important to develop a healthy mindset and reaction towards this rejection and what it says about you, and your future.
First of all, if you open a rejection letter, or a waitlist letter, from one of your top schools, or possibly your number one dream school, it is totally acceptable to feel discouraged and disappointed. Cry about it, talk to your parents or friends about it, and sulk all you want for the rest of the day. Acknowledge the sadness, but don’t let it linger.
The most important thing to do is try to change your mindset about this rejection. Try to identify exactly why you are so disheartened by this rejection. Is it because you feel like the acceptance into this school is representative of your intelligence? Or maybe, you are upset because it feels like the hard work you’ve put in up to this point is fruitless without the reward of going to this school. If you feel like your intelligence is the thing that is upsetting you, it’s important to recognize how many different factors go into a college acceptance. Your intelligence is only a small part of what is represented in an application. One school could be looking for students with more leadership experiences and community involvement, while another might prioritize candidates who wrote a personalized and powerful essay. Intelligence is not the sole thing evaluated or necessary to get into a college. If you feel like the work you’ve put in was for nothing because of a rejection, it is important to realize that your hard work has prepared you for college regardless of where you end up.
I think the most important thing to recognize may sound cliche, but there is value in it. You hear the phrase “Rejection is Redirection” thrown around a lot during college decision season. While it might feel unfair and upsetting when you don’t get into a school you want to go to, you should try to recognize that the admissions of that school know what is necessary and expected from students at their school. If you don’t fit the requirements a school expects for its students, then you probably wouldn’t have thrived at the school. A college education is valuable no matter where you go, and you will learn best and have the most beneficial experience at a school where you are comfortable and well fit. If you don’t get into a school, then that school is not the right fit for you.
College can be a daunting part of your future, and handling rejections can be extremely difficult in an environment where people put so much emphasis on where everybody goes. However, the school that is right for you will be one that you get accepted to. You should find comfort in the fact that you have done all you can throughout high school, and your future and personal worth is not reliant on what school you attended past high school.
