<p>Let’s not lose perspective here. Yes we’re all part of the same pressure pot, partly stirred by our parents, that labels us winners or losers based on some college’s decisions. But a lot of those standards are really based on fluff. </p>
<p>Honestly, if what you care about is working hard and enjoying learning, in the long run it won’t mean a whole lot to you what an admissions office thinks about you. </p>
<p>Personally, I never really understood the idea that it’s important to end up at HYP or the likes because it “makes you set for life.” Isn’t that reasoning in itself condescending? That implies I’m going to sit on my butt, sip some wine, and get everything handed to me based on name-reputation. Most of us are just entering 18 right now. Is that really the age to either rest on laurels or woe our fates? </p>
<p>In my opinion, the worst thing one could do is to settle for less in their motivation just because they “settled for less” on a college. On the other end, it’s equally as bad for people to get too cozy with themselves just because they’re the ones who “hit the jackpot.” </p>
<p>And I say all of this as a student who’s both hit and missed on some of these college decisions so far.</p>