Your student has hit “submit” on her college apps. And now, the stress of actually completing the applications has transformed into anxiety about the impending decision.
Instead of biting your nails, worrying your butt off, and agonizing over college decisions, let’s hear some reassuring words to replace the void of waiting forever for that acceptance (or, in hopefully not too many cases, a denial letter).
We all know in our heads that not getting into college isn’t the end of the world, but we don’t always feel it in our hearts.
Here’s why admissions officers think your student will be okay no matter what — even when it seems like the end of the world when she doesn’t get into her favorite college.
Even if your student attends a less-favored college, she can still accomplish the same amazing things she wished to do at her top choice.
“The best book that I recommend is Frank Bruni’s book Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be. It really deals with ‘forget the acceptance rates’ — it’s what you do at that institution that’s going to make you be prepared for the real world.” Lynn University admissions director, Freddy Glitman
If your student doesn’t get into her top choice college, she’ll still be happy at a different school, or even pursuing an alternative path to that dream career.
There’s always a brighter side. Even if their kids don’t get in, that’s okay, they’ll go somewhere else. And if they don’t go somewhere else, then they’ll figure out a different path, and there’s so many different paths now, which is fantastic. — Former Columbia University admissions officer, Elvin Freytes
