When I was deferred from Yale I was initially devastated. After all, it is the one thing I have been chasing after for so long and my hopes did not come into fruition. After a few weeks to think and apply to other schools, I realized that I sounded like quite the cry-baby in my post on the decisions thread. I’m not special, especially in a pool like Yale’s where nobody can really stand out; in fact, I was probably lucky to be deferred.
At this point, I’m grateful I was deferred; not because I still have a chance, but because it gave me some humility, and more importantly, opened up some other options for my college. I did apply to other prestigious universities, such as Harvard, Stanford, etc, but I also applied to several state schools.
In fact, I found out that if I attend Michigan State (a state school that actually has very good political science/journalism programs, the ones I’m interested in), I will not only receive a huge merit scholarship, but will also receive about 50 credits going in, almost making me a junior in my first year.
If I go to American University, I can also get a pretty sizable merit scholarship with a wonderful political program where I can graduate within 3 year. (If you’re sensing a pattern here, I don’t qualify for financial aid :P)
By being deferred at Yale, it truly opened my eyes to all the other possibilities for university. Sure, Michigan State may not be Yale, but I will still be attending a good program with a large scholarship with the ability to finish university in 2.5 years.
Yes, if I get into Yale I will surely attend, it is still my first choice by far (I also have a sizable update that I will send in February – I forgot to put on my application how I organized a fundraiser to raise $2,000 for charity - whoops); however, this deferral truly taught me that I will probably be happy no matter where I end up going to college. I also learned that colleges should be looked at like girls (I’m a guy). You can’t obsess about a single girl, because you will look desperate and will find no success. You have to talk to several girls at once; that way, the rejections do not sting as hard, and a few are bound to accept you.
Disclaimer: Sorry if this is not my best writing, I’m kinda lazy to edit, 
P.S. Congrats to all those who were accepted already!