And no sleep was had that night.

Serentic
Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:23:35 +0000

Hi, guys,

I know I’m relatively unknown here and that my posts (and most people’s) mean absolutely nothing, but I’m a little on edge right now and if anybody is stalking application links like I am, the least I can do is try and provide some insight. I was rejected from several schools in the past week, and I’m nervous for Union, too.

Take insight from a 17-year old with a huge grain of salt.

I just wanted to wish everybody good luck tomorrow with Union, and I hope all of you are happy with the outcome. Union is a top choice for me, so I’ve been freaking out a little bit as the decision comes tomorrow morning, but I think it’s important to remain calm and unassuming in situations like this.

What is most important to understand is that even if you are rejected, it’s not because you are inadequate or unintelligent – nobody who was accepted over you is necessarily better in any way. They were simply different from you.

College admissions these days are ridiculously competitive, and sometimes that causes us to lose sight of what’s important. Getting good grades is excellent. Do that. But there is something to be said for the kid who can balance social life with academics. There are plenty of perfect SAT score, 4.0 GPA kids out there, but you can bet that their life in high school was miserable and full of stress and they’ll probably have gray hair before they’re 20.

Life does not depend solely on grades, and you need to take that into account. At least from a personal perspective, my GPA is low because I am a two-time cancer patient, in an adoptive family I don’t get along with. Everybody goes through pain and stress and it does affect people in a negative manner; however, it is how you choose to deal with that suffering that defines you as a person.

My point (besides needing to rant) is that no matter how many schools you are rejected from or accepted to, you are still the same person and don’t question that based on the decisions of the allegedly all-knowing College Admissions Office. I know most schools say they’re holistic, but they have relatively little time to understand the whole life they are holding in their hands, whereas you have literally had a lifetime. If you are happy with yourself, ultimately, that is all that matters. Don’t let a college decision define you.

Once again, good luck, and try and get some sleep tonight.


Alex