Post Rejection/Decision Day Depression?

cptofthehouse
Thu, 02 May 2019 16:06:13 +0000

It takes something out of you to have the expectations deflated. Yes, it’s great to have a strong school, honors designation, great program, scholarship money there but it still hurts to be rejected. Even from schools you didn’t particularly like and ones that you may have rejected for a scholarship and certain opportunities that the big name didn’t have.

My cousin’s DD did have schools higher on the selectivity and prestige meters accept her than the state flagship she chose due to the fact it not only had her in a select honors program that was exactly what she wanted with a hefty scholarship included. Versus having to pay $70k+ a year and taking one’s chances to compete for any goodies in a more general course of study. But many times she she felt deflated in announcing her choice, especially to kids heading off to elite name schools. It bothered her that she felt she had to add that she was also accepted to certain other schools but was accepting the deal State U offered her. And she did feel that way, which bothered her even more.

When you see others proudly heralding their school choices that get more recognition than yours, yeah, it hurts. It hurts when you are not accepted to a school and someone you know, who does not have anywhere near the academic profile you digest accepted. In one school I know, it caused some real resentment and fall out when a URM with significantly lower stats, well to do parents so certainly with those advantages was accepted to a top college . The school was small enough that everyone had a good idea about what special hooks the students have and it hurts when it’s a non achievement one that is making such a difference. The same resentment crops up with athletic recruits and development/alumni/celebrity admits that are not way up there in the academic hierarchy.

So I don’t blame him for feeling a bit down. I would too