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Suicide by rejectees?
Shnead
64 replies21 threads Junior Member
Has anyone ever heard of someone killing themselves after being rejected from their top choice schools?
Just asking to know what kind of press this would give to a college, let alone the cut-throat business of college admissions.
20 repliesJust asking to know what kind of press this would give to a college, let alone the cut-throat business of college admissions.
Post edited by Shnead on
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Replies to: Suicide by rejectees?
Back in the day, I did know a girl who quit her college first semester because she didn't get into the "right" sorority.
But I feel like as the admission process gets more and more competitive with the coming years it's likely to happen
That said, there was a boy who committed suicide right after winter final exams. It is believed that he knew he didn't do well and didn't want to face his parents.
Unfortunately, many people don't have the good judgement to realize that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
If a student did this, it wouldn't reflect badly on the college that rejected them, but would reflect the student's impaired mental health and judgment.
I hope that anyone here considering such an action will talk to a trusted adult or a professional in the mental health field because something is wrong if a person is considering taking their life over a college rejection. Getting rejected by your dream school doesn't mean one is a horrendous failure or one will have a miserable, unsuccessful life.
Getting accepted by your dream school won't mean that you'll have a life 100% full of joy and success. Everyone has their own share of struggles, joys, and achievements no matter where they go to college. However you define success, some of the most successful people didn't get into their first choice college or even colleges that were highly regarded. Some people who are living ordinary lives or even are living lives that are unsuccessful --how ever you define success-- went to top colleges and their dream schools.
What you do in college and afterward is more important than where you go to school.
In the past few months I was deferred from ED 1 to ED 2 and eventually rejected from Wesleyan, my top choice; I was completely crushed. I had terrible thoughts racing through my mind again, and while it's easy to think it's the end of the world, it's important to understand that this process can't define an applicant. As someone who has been through emotional low points and rejections, I can honestly say it's not worth the thought.
I'm still upset about it, but hey, I got into NYU, McGill, Bard, Geneseo, and I'm waiting on a bunch; there are a ton of other options for everyone. Even if I had nowhere to go, the whole process is so unpredictable that it doesn't warrant a lot of emotional investment.
I'm not saying suicide is the right solution at ALL. But I wish people working in education would realise the flaws in the system and try and reduce this awful stressload a little.
BUT... there are times when that just does NOT do it. I've seen first hand that these thoughts can affect people you NEVER thought would be affected...and it can be hidden until there is an explosion...and that therapy DOES help! Do not waste time, DO seek out a professional who can make you "feel better". There should be no stigma attached to it. It's as "legit" as cough syrup for a cough.
If you're reading this, and you say "that sounds like me"...and talking to your friends or family is not an option, or not helping...make a phone call.
Good luck to all of you still waiting for college news. One young person I know who is still waiting for a bit more news is using his time constructively by finding part-time work in the field he loves, and lining up summer work for the summer--work he can take regardless of where he enrolls this fall. That's something to do besides worrying about admission results.