OP: Who wants Stanford–you or your parents?
@califrankie at least there’s that :). And I’m lucky to have a great family who will support me.
Use senior year to join the Kpop and anime clubs.
Get a summer job when you graduate.
Take this time to refocus (once you finish your essays).
@bopper thanks 
As a parent of a kid who did get into Stanford via REA, you will face similar choices even in college and in life. There are certain prices to pay for having certain goals. But it’s always good to question why you want to go to top colleges or do certain things. When you think about it, even the fact you attended a high school was not totally up to you. You seem like a thoughtful person.
I understand the regret, because there are so many kids working so hard to be in this mystical “top tier” and they still don’t get in to the Stanfords of the world. There are too many high quality students for that. Good luck to you OP. Your hard work will pay off in being prepared for college coursework, at least!
Wow. It’s not too late for you to start enjoying your high school life to the fullest.
I found this very inspiring and now I know just what to do in high school.
Be me, and enjoy myself.
My breakdown will come on 3-26-20 at 7pm EST
All stress you feel now will come with joy later. For collegiate decisions and anything in life pretty much, my sister has always told me: “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”
Remember that. You will end up where you belong.
How did your app process turn out? Did you get into your desired schools? @nomood
@suzyQ7
I got into all the UC’s I applied to and was waitlisted at Columbia so I count that as a success!
Congratulations!!
Any preference so far?
I’ll be going to Berkeley but still holding out hope for Columbia.
Congratulations on your Cal acceptance! As someone who didn’t get into her first choice college but did get into–and attended–her first choice graduate school, let me tell you that I loved the former and was miserable at the latter. As a wise poet once said, “Happiness isn’t getting what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got.” Wherever you end up I hope your college experience is as wonderful as mine. Good luck to you!
Congratulations! I hope Berkeley is a good fit for you.
Thanks!
Congratulations on Berkeley OP! I had the same revelation during college app season as well, and the depression hit hard. Our happiness is what we make of it; take this revelation with you to Berkeley:) I hope you have an amazing college experience, and hey, “Let’s make a door in your heart. Open the door and this place will await. It’s okay to believe, the Magic Shop will comfort you.” ?Don’t lose your magic shop @ berk!
@lilacfox Thanks that’s so sweet.
Glad it worked out for you! After a long waitlist, good things happened for my son. What have I learned from this cruel process? This: When the counselors say be prepared for disappointment, if you think they are not talking to you, you are setting yourself up for trouble. Super qualified kids - kids with incredible stories - are getting across the board rejections from good schools (not just top 20 either). It’s hard out there! Take your backup school selection seriously. Watch out for impacted majors - they skew the threshold tremendously. Finally, don’t let it make you crazy.