<p>Thirty years ago, my guidance counselor told me not “waste an application” by applying to MIT because my school would only process 7 applications before April 1. She meant well but I am so glad that I ignored her. </p>
<p>I was worried that my daughter would be upset by getting rejected to some tough schools. I was wrong. Apparently getting rejected from a tough school entitles one to full *****ing (CC considers the word inappropriate, but think female dog changed to a verb in the present tense) rights in April that those who get into all of their colleges miss out on :-)</p>
<p>I read a study in the Wall Street Journal that future income is more correlated with the ranking of the schools that reject you than the school you actually attended. It makes sense because the most successful people aim the highest and learn that failure is an essential prerequisite to success. Those who never aim that high never learn that.</p>