hey, let's have a pity party! I got rejected from 2 Ivies so far, including one where I was being recruited. I haven't heard from the other 2, but my stupid genius-filled school already has a bunch of kids going to each so I don't think I got in.



Did you get into your 2nd choice?

That sucks.

I always hated the "It's not me, it's you, but don't kill yourself over it I'm sure other will like you just fine" line anyways.



I'm sure you'll get into other great schools. Don't fret.

They're all like "you're wonderful and stupendous and brilliant and we HATE to reject you but, yeah..." So annoying, tho obviously they can't really say much else.

My sister got rejected from Tufts despite having legacy and their letter was like "we know this is extra sucky because you have family ties, but we cannot accept you." She was pissed, but then she got into her 1st-choice, better school.

getting wait-listed sucks too

Agreed...I'm half-hoping for that, but that's unlikely too.

My sister was deferred, then wait-listed, then got in with a message on our answering machine after she'd sent in a deposit to another school.

So see, I got rejected from my two top Ivy schools, into my third and fourth choices. I was recruited by my #1, too! Kind of a "We like you, but just not enough" sort of thing. Ouch.

I'm sorry that you all didn't get in to your choices-- personally I think we are amazing. They'd be lucky to have us, and yes, we should have a party.

So what's the deal with wait lists? It can end up working out? Not just a ploy to soften the blow?

...hi. not to do the "everything happens for a reason" thing...just wanted to put this out there to you all, as an older, err, "more experienced" person who has been through the wait...



all-in-all please don't be down on yourself, or dispairing. i went to my "not first choice" state college (gasp!) school...although i too was being recruited by my "reach" ivy school... and now as i procrastinate here on threadless from completing my master's thesis at my ivy...i realize that i had a far better experience at my undergrad school...it was just where i was supposed to be...



you're going to go someplace great, and your experience and what you get out of it will largely depend on what you put in and take out with you...the ivy may have great resources, but you may not always benefit from them...you know? so at this point, as you're waiting for the acceptance letters, just look forward to how great you're going to do in school next year, and all the new experiences you will have...



as the alchemist said, the universe conspires to help the dreamers...as long as you live without denying your passions, and you pursue them, you will be at peace and taken care of...



ok. your blog was my clue to get offline and go back to work... :)



the very best wishes to you!!! (my advice on 'bouncing back' as you put it, is to think of all the t-shirts you can buy for the rest of your life because you won't be swimming in loan bills from an overpriced education)



congratulations on your upcoming graduation too

Why would you wanna go to an Ivy League school?

Thank you so much for saying all of this. It's so nice to hear it from someone who "lived it" and means it and came out on the other side, whole and successful. And it really does mean ALOT to me that you took the time to share your experiences. I don't really have anyone to talk with who has been through this before-- I'm the first in my family to do this.



Thank you for helping me get things in perspective. It helps so much. And congratulations on everything you've done and have yet to do!

remember! it's just undergrad. You'll be fine :)

I wonder how many important and interesting people in the world came from ivy league schools. Not a great deal I imagine.

Batman?

:) i'm definitely "whole" the successful is relative. but thanks too!



*i'm the first in my family to have gone to college too...so i feel ya' on reaching out to the universe for some validation/support...my family was like 'columbia? but you don't speak spanish' (seriously)



seriously though...went through the whole "professional school" (okay it was law) thing and realized that i was denying what i was most passionate about...and now i'm a teacher, which is awesome.



you'll be golden...last little bit of advice...use the student services at the school you end up at...no matter how 'lame' or uninspired you may feel to seek it out...it will help.

Kora, if you don't mind, what nationality are you?

See, the weird thing is that I know I will bring my own happiness with me wherever I go. And the schools I got into are good! But this rationality is lost somewhere between my head and my heart and sadly didn't stop me from breaking apart when my best friend called to say she got in to my #1.



I love what Kora said about Columbia. I think I have had to explain the Ivy League to my family a few times-- and it is hard to remember all of them, I'll admit that!



I also love that you are a teacher. How amazing is that?! If you don't mind me asking, what grade?

Bill Nye went to an Ivy League school.



But hey, we can't all be The Science Guy.

you're going to go someplace great, and your experience and what you get out of it will largely depend on what you put in and take out with you...the ivy may have great resources, but you may not always benefit from them...you know? so at this point, as you're waiting for the acceptance letters, just look forward to how great you're going to do in school next year, and all the new experiences you will have...



Totally true. My dad went to U Nebraska, of all places, and he went to MIT for grad school, now he works as a research scientist there. My mom went to UMass and she went / works at MIT now too. I mean, it's EASIER to get a good education at a really stellar Ivy, or whatever, but you can get an equivilant if not better one if you work at it somewhere else.



At least that's what my mother tells me when I freak out about not getting into college.

That sure makes sense to me. It is what you make it, right?



Dah, I almost forgot about that part! Bill Nye teaches some science classes at Cornell.... well, maybe I can sneak over there and sit in some even if they didn't take me, right?!

i teach high school...juniors and seniors, so i know what you're going through from that perspective too. :) "my" kids are driving me nutty with their own stresses, but i am excited too.



you can always transfer too, if you find you're not happy...please don't ever think you don't have options...there are always choices.



tee hee...and i didn't make it up about columbia. at the time it was a bit lonely, not funny and kind of disheartening...



now, i'm really touched by my family's support...they might not understand...but they understand ME, and support that.



...and lucretia mott's mom is right...



parents freak out because they are worried and want the best for you (as cliche as that sounds,) but all in all they just want you to be happy and fulfilled...sad adults are adults that regret things...if you always keep your passion close to your heart (even if it changes,) you won't regret...



bill nye...haha, i met him at uw in seattle...guy is really fun. oh, and don't forget that a lot of the "ivies" offer summer school courses, auditing, online courses, etc...lots of ways to get your "fix"...



one last thing from wordy me...it's really hard when your friends are (seemingly) going off to exotic places...and you might feel a little envious at times...just breathe, forgive yourself, acknowledge and let go...you'll need your friends...keep the old and make new ones.



g'night. :)

Go to university in Holland. It's cheaper and they can't reject you.



Else, chocolate :)

I saved the rejection letter I received from my first choice school (while I was going to junior college). I was upset for about a day and then I decided to come up with a one-year game plan to make sure I got in. The next year when I applied, I got in.



If it's something you really really want, go to whatever school has the best transfer rate to the school you want to get into. Work really hard. Take the classes you need to take to up your chances. Be in the clubs that you need to be in. If you want it badly enough, it will probably work out. At the very least, you will know you gave it your best shot.