<p>Alright, so I’m applying to five schools.</p>
<p>North Carolina State University (backup)
University of Virginia
Carnegie Mellon
MIT
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute</p>
<p>The problem is that I’ve not hyper motivated about these schools, minus MIT (which ironically is the longest shot I have)</p>
<p>It’s because of conflicting reasons. If I let’s say get hyper attached to MIT, sure, it will shine and show my passion for the school, but then
A) My passion for other schools will dwindle as I focus on trying for MIT
B) If I don’t get in, then it will result in the greatest emotional trauma</p>
<p>This is the problem I have with many of the schools, I’m trying to get motivated for them since it’s time to start essays (Well, for three of them anyhow) and I don’t want a lackluster knowledge or passion for them to reduce my chances.</p>
<p>So, how do you all get good emotional attachments to your schools? And when you get denied after doing that, does it really bite, or do well chosen secondhand schools help fill in the gap and make you happier if an acceptance flies from that direction?</p>
<p>Most students are very happy with their colleges, once they attend, even if it was not the first choice college. MIT selectivity indicates that you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. It is just out of proportion to go through ‘emotional trauma’ over getting in a school or not because it is more about what you do with where you go than anything. How can someone tell you not to be a teenage drama queen? Don’t know. Maybe look at it more of an assignment to ace. Do spend time learning about the great features about each school. These aren’t so many schools on your list that you don’t have time to learn about them. It isn’t necessary to get emotionally attached to make a good application. Only a small part of the application will reference the school itself.</p>
<p>You have fallen into the “dream school” trap. Only you can get yourself out of it…Of course you want to do the best application you can for MIT, but you also need to figure out why you have the other schools on your list and focus in on why they are a good fit for you when you fill out the applications. You have to be mature enough to really give each school & application the attention it deserves to have the best chances for admission. Hopefully you have researched your other schools carefully enough to understand your chances of admission and to confirm that they have qualities that you like for a four year education. Do the MIT app, and send it off – and consider it gravy if you get in. But the odds are good that you will end up at one of the other schools. </p>
<p>If you are really lukewarm on your other schools, maybe think through one more time whether you should adjust your list. Maybe add another school or two, or swap one out for another. You need safeties and matches, so be sure you have them and that they are all schools you would be okay with attending.</p>