The Christmas bells are ringing, the menorah is now lit, and thousands of students across the country are finding out whether they got accepted, deferred, waitlisted, or rejected from their favorite colleges. Indicating one’s love for a school by applying early decision can make it that much more disappointing if they receive a rejection letter.
Now, I am not an expert on this matter (I have not heard back from any schools just yet), but I know a thing or two about rejection. So, I am going to highlight some mantras that may be helpful if you are currently feeling the sting of rejection or want to avoid the world-ending feeling you might get after hearing back from your dream school.
Mantra 1: If the school doesn’t want me, I don’t want the school. Think about your application. Right now, do it. The classes you’ve taken, your test scores, your artistic portfolio, your extracurricular activities, and your personal statement. You put your best foot forward, and you should be proud of what you submitted. You will likely spend the next two or four years of your life earning your degree, and you deserve to learn and grow in an environment where you feel supported.
Mantra 2: There is always a reason, but it may not be what you think. When one door won’t budge, find another! Open the window if you have to! There are almost 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. alone, and you have the potential to thrive at so many more than just one. There are infinite ways to do what you want to do and go where you want to go. Even if you cannot see it right now, in time, you will take advantage of the opportunities that come your way and understand why your path was the right one.
Mantra 3: I have the power to learn from this. No matter what, being rejected is a learning experience. It is vital to recognize that failure and rejection are parts of life, and once you accept and move past this, you will be a stronger person. You cannot change a school’s decision, but you can decide how you respond to it. This will not be the last time things don’t go your way, but it can be the first time you decide to take life’s setbacks in stride.
Whether you believe in these mantras or not, adopting these mindsets will help you get over the sting. I am gearing up for some decisions myself as January approaches, and I know I will definitely be repeating these sentences to prepare for whatever comes my way. If you have any situations you would like some advice on, please submit them to The Fling at thehighlandfling@hpschools.net!