I am a rising junior in high school, and every single educational opportunity I apply to I get rejected from. I’ve applied to NCSSM, youth council, DECA, and another niche club in my school. I’ve gotten rejected from every single one. I even applied to Panera Bread this summer and got rejected. It just hurts so much seeing all my friends get accepted, and I get rejected from everything I apply to. I do try my best on these applications, and seeing myself get rejected from things I’ve spent hours or days on makes me feel so bad. I genuinely do not know how to apply for something, and reading my friend’s applications just makes it even worse because when did they learn how to write killer application essays? Does anyone know how I can teach myself how to write good applications because literally NOTHING feels worse than academic rejection. I really do care about my future and I really am trying to better my ECs but it feels like I have no hope. Should I ask my parents for a college counselor?
You write pretty well, based upon this posting. Just keep on trying, and for things that you really want to do. Look for opportunities outside of school - those experiences can be more impressive on a college application.
I will, thank you!
Please do not attach any worthiness to NCSSM rejection, so much is outside of your control. If you live in one of the competitive congregational districts it is extremely hard. The main mission is to give opportunities to kids that have tapped out at their current resourced school or lack resources in current school. It is not necessarily the brightest or most accomplished, but meeting those needs and showing maturity to be able to live away from home 2 years early.
You sound very motivated and I have no doubt that will take you very far. Do not give up!
I’ve sort of moved on from the NCSSM thing, but everytime I apply to something new and get rejected my parents bring it up and I can’t help but feel hopeless about everything. I will still keep trying. Thank you for your reply.
Oh no! I’m sorry. Parents are only supposed to say, “You are great! It is their loss. You just keep on trying your best, keep on submitting, and something will come along.”
What about doing some volunteering for something you’re passionate about? Guessing they’d love to have you and also can make for some great essay inspiration down the road.
Yeah, why apply for these sorts of things? Most of them frankly don’t mean much. Volunteer for a cause you care about – you will have fun, you will be a much more interesting college applicant, a stronger job candidate, and the not for profit will be thrilled to have you!
Panera is no reflection of your academics. Most people have to apply for a bunch of jobs before they land one.
Perhaps you need a mentor…a teacher at school who can help you fill out the online applications for a part-time job.
Perhaps you are missing something in your app - and it’s nice to have someone to help you get through the process, a second set of eyes.
It sounds like it wouldn’t be your parents strength so find a trusted person at school.
Best of luck.
Are there not any clubs that accept everyone at your school? Key Club? Foreign language club? Dungeons and Dragons club? Baking club? Most schools have a number of clubs that anyone can join. Start with those!
How about volunteering in your community? What opportunities exist there? Library? Senior Center? Zoo?
Panera Bread…OK…but aren’t there other places where teens work? Taco Bell? Pizza Hut? How about babysitting, pet sitting, helping with yard work?
Are you casting your net wide enough?
As a high school teacher, I would suggest that you apply to positions that fit you. I had one student the last year who was rejected from several fast food places (perceived as the easiest jobs) before being hired at six flags. It turned out that he did not take any house chores like cleaning or preparing food like most of his peers did, but he had been the usher for our school theatre plays for a year and was really good at it.after a year he was promoted to ride lead, and is going to college as business major instead of IT as he thought he would do two years ago.
The point is that kids are supposed to take time to explore and discover what they enjoy and are good at. Being rejected is part of such exploration.
My daughter use to tell me she had the worst luck. Her story was quite similar to yours and it started when she was younger. We convinced each other that effort would overcome everything. Now she is an analyst at a prestigious financial firm in NYC. My point is that following your passions and trying your hardest will make you a success in something. And people will eventually know you for your perseverance and that breeds more success.
I agree so much with the others who are suggesting volunteering somewhere OUTSIDE of school clubs. It absolutely will make you a much more interesting applicant and you can volunteer somewhere that you are interested in, and discover some things about yourself outside of school and your peers.