A couple things - you weren’t rejected by UVA and Clemson.
You were rejected by scholarships, that no one in their right mind should “expect” when they apply - so perhaps your expectations just weren’t realistic. Most kids who get into Harvard would not get those.
The fact that you are in at UVA, Northeastern, Nova, and UMD is beyond impressive - all great schools. UMD was not easy before and someone on another thread posted admission stats presented on campus - and they were off the charts _ i have to find them but I thought 32/35 on ACT.
So you should be proud!!!
Now - was your list right? Clearly it wasn’t in this sense - you apply to Northeastern and Nova and don’t get much aid - that tells me you didn’t build your list properly. Those schools have merit and are fine to apply to - but you missed the cardinal rule of having a college that you could 100% get psyched about and afford. Even UVA meets need. So it’s fine to apply to - but you didn’t apply to a single school that you could 100% afford (besides UMD)…or should I say that your family wants to afford because I don’t know what you can afford. btw - if you lived in Delaware, NJ, NC, etc. - you might have applied to UMD as a - I’d love to go there…because frankly, it’s strong - but many dismiss their in state option and you shouldn’t.
So let’s say you get into Brown, Yale or Princeton - but they are $340K - are your parents willing to spend? Perhaps they get some aid - but if not at Northeastern, it’s not likely.
So your options are -
UMD - which is honestly very strong - and you shouldn’t diminish it. There are kids with 1500 SATs posting they are getting turned down. And no doubt you got Honors or Scholars.
Alternatively, you could likely go for dirt cheap at Alabama and Arizona. I mentioned these two - and there’s likely more - but you could still apply. Assuming you have a 3.5, for example, tuition at Alabama (based on this year) would be less than $4K. If you are NMF, it’d be free and four years housing. At Arizona, with a 4.0 UW, you’d be $3K or so tuition and with a 3.9 $8K or so.
Not saying these are better options than UMD - but they are options - the type of schools that should have been included if “cost” was the driving factor.
This isn’t to lecture you - what’s done is done but to show other readers, cost is a HUGE factor in building a proper list.
You shouldn’t be distraught. You should say - here’s my budget, here’s what I could afford, and what’s the best school for me.
You are reading too many magazines, seeing too many “top school” lists, and maybe comparing notes with friends.
Rather, you should know - whether it’s UVA or WVU, UMD or Salisbury, tons of successful (and not successful) graduates are hitting the streets each and every day.
A degree helps you with a beginning - but you and only you (not the name on your degree) brings long term success.
So find the right and affordable school - whether it’s UMD or you need to re-open.
You had an expectation for the near impossible. If you wanted these, then why didn’t you apply to UNC, SMU, American, W&L and others that offer these - but even those are near impossible.
You’ve gotten into wonderful schools - schools others dream of. Your head should be high - distraught is the last thing you should be.
Way way way too much pressure on yourself.
Go take a walk, clear your head. Guess what, the sun will rise tomorrow - and you’re going to have a great future at a wonderful school - wherever you end up.
Good luck.