<p>Lots of good advice. The feelings are perfectly normal, but they will fade. Even kids who get into their “first choice” have second thoughts over the summer before they go to school. The grass is always greener, and it’s very common to worry about whether someone else is going to someplace that would be better. </p>
<p>It doesn’t matter if (a) it’s a kid going to a small LAC who worries that the big public school would have been a better choice, (b) a kid going to a big public school who is wondering whether he/she should have chosen a more personal small LAC, (c) the kid going to an ivy who thinks that a high GPA somewhere else would assure grad school, (d) the kid who isn’t going to an ivy who is worrying that this would affect the rest of his/her life, (e) the kid going to school far away, who is worried about being homesick, or (f) the kid going to school near home, who is worried that he/she will just be continuing high school life. These are just examples. Almost everyone is having some of these thoughts at this point in the process, a/k/a “buyer’s remorse.” </p>
<p>I suggest reminding yourself about all of the good things about the school you selected. If you can’t think of any good things, work at finding them! Eventually you’ll find yourself being happy with your choice. This process will also help you tell people why you chose the school. Before you know it, it will sound as if this school was actually your first choice! Keep in mind that your school was someone else’s dream school.</p>
<p>I agree with the poster who mentioned that it is much better to be at a school where you’re academically a good fit, since it could be a little easier to get those all-important good grades. Once you’re feeling very successful at the school, have made some friends and are engaged in college-life, you’ll find more things to like about your current choice. </p>
<p>And if not, keep in mind that you might have the option of potentially transferring into your first choice school later (especially if your grades at School #1 are really good), or going there for graduate school someday. As you grow as a person, you could find that neither School #1 or School #2 is actually the best fit (it happens). This is just one of the first steps on a very long road. Make the most of your choice, and you won’t be sorry.</p>