<p>Freshapp: I am so sorry for you. </p>
<p>I, too, applied to many schools and was surprised to get into so few. I was waitlisted at 6(including 2 ivies), rejected at 4 (including 2 ivies), and accepted at 3 (small LACs). Most of the schools I was waitlisted at were definitely “matches” or “safeties” for me; my application and credentials were fantastic according to my counselor/teachers/pretty much everyone - won’t go into too much detail here because this isn’t about my stats anymore…it’s about a “what the heck?!” situation. </p>
<p>everything you are saying about financial aid, the way you feel, the way your mom feels…really resonates with me. </p>
<p>Personally I was tempted to call up some of these schools and demand to ask how they evaluated my application (at least at the places I was waitlisted, not rejected, perhaps they would be willing to discuss my app) because something must have stuck out or looked “wrong” in order for things to turn out this way. </p>
<p>But I think the smart thing to do is let it go, and make the best of the options we do have. It sounds like you are moving in this direction. </p>
<p>You are right that WHAT you do in college is more important than WHERE you go to college… but I wasn’t planning on being a superstar in college like I was in high school, ya know? I have worked so hard in hs to be at the top of everything and it would be nice to relax a bit in college rather than trying to excel just so I can go to a good grad school. Oh, well. </p>
<p>and sorry for this long post, but it ended up being kinda therapeutic for me 
really just wanted to express my condolences and let you know that you’re not alone.</p>