Is Rejection Important to You?

neatoburrito
Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:15:31 +0000

First, this is a very thoughtful question. Creative1 used the exact word that I was thinking of, “vetting.” As difficult as this vetting process is for young teens and their parents, it gives both parents and students the feeling that they will be with other children of like mind and spirit, but different perspectives. This is the most important reason for our decision to let our children go if they successfully jump all those hurdles.

The admissions policy that you describe doesn’t make me think that a school is not “worthy”, as you say. But I do understand why you would think that attaining the seemingly unattainable would have such appeal to people. I’m sure it does. It is the last thing that our family considers. However…bear the following little story in mind…

I have been a student at two very different schools. The first was a small, selective, liberal arts college. The other was a flagship state university. The teachers and facilities at the large state school were in some cases better than the ones at the small liberal arts college. What made the private LAC such a better experience was the caliber of the students I was around, the conversations in the dining hall, the discussions in history class, the student concerts and events. Admissions at the LAC involved a vetting process, the state university admitted anyone who wanted it and had fulfilled the minimum test scores and GPA.

I think the same thing would worry me about sending my kids to a school with such an open admissions policy. It would be a concern, that’s all. It wouldn’t necessarily stop me from having them apply.