Deferred to Regular Decision... now what?

Faline2
Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:27:21 +0000

agreed. I honestly think my sons would have been happy and fulfilled at their “match” colleges"…let’s face it…the faculty is quite good at scores of colleges and we all know highly successful people who did not attend a super targeted college.

so I always say Attach to your Match. Treat the season as if you are dating several lovely prospective girlfriends/boyfriends at one time…yes it is exceedingly awkward and you will feel insincere at times courting so many possible futures at once and saying nice things and promises to all of them…but in the end…you may understand your country and your nation better…I honestly feel our sons learned a great deal just addressing this challenge, interviewing, writing, researching, sitting in classes and came out respecting all these institutions.

Since my second son has been at his college for only one semester…he has applied for four things I can think of that required essays and a face to face interview or audition. He had been admitted to two of these programs, rejected once and made it to finals in another and then been cut. All of these interviews are evaluative and learning experience in the world of tough knocks and in the realization that yes, everyone in the chairs to your left and right is quite talented and special, and you have to find your sea legs.

One thing I required of my kids was that they save any moaning and groaning about disappointments re colleges for home and that they celebrate the achievements and open doors of their friends. so important to be happy for others even if there is a randomness or a lack of fairness to it all

welcome to an inkling of what it is like in the job force

the work is hard at all of them

I also asked that they write at least two sentences on the forms where they did not accept an offer expressing appreciation and respect for those who took the time to open their college to them. I know that there were no tears when they went to College A instead of College B in admissions offices and plenty of equals ready to take that seat, but sometimes it is personal and sometimes people in an admissions office were particularly gracious and praiseworthy. these are habits and opportunities