Dealing with college rejection?

I was just addressing this issue in a blog this morning. It is natural to upset that you did not get selected by your top choices. Try to keep in mind that the more popular a college, the more applications they receive, thereby making it even more difficult for students to get in. I would suggest contacting the admission office and asking what specifically kept you from being accepted, as you may be able to work on it should you decide to try and transfer to the college in a year or two. Also, remember that although your other colleges weren't your first choice, they made your list for a reason. You also have time to revisit other colleges that have rolling admissions to see if any other may be a good fit for you. I remember when I was rejected from Stanford, I thought my whole world would collapse, but what I found out was you can make any college your 'home' and be a success if you put your mind to it. Even Warren Buffet was rejected by his first choice college and he's certainly done alright for himself. I know for me, making a Facebook 'rejection' page was a great way to share my feelings and co-miserate with others who now had to reconfigure their college plans. I bet if you reach out to your friends and others, you'll find there are many going through the same process right now. If you still want to get in to your top choice, use this as motivation to excell at college and have a goal to transfer by junior year. However, I suspect you will find happiness wherever you land. Don't let the colleges dictate your future or your happiness, as you are the only one in charge of your destiny. Just decide that wherever you land, you will be awesome :)

Don't worry! The worst that could happen is that you attend your backup school for one or two semesters and you transfer! Just remember that if you don't like the way things turn out, you could always change it. You may even find some great opportunities or meet great people along the way. :)

I just got rejected by my dream college and I'm feeling a little down too. :\ But things could always be worse!

Did any of those happen to be Northwestern, UChicago, or UCLA?

I was waitlisted by Northwestern yesterday. 35 ACT, girl in engineering. College admissions are just so competitive these days and it's literally a crapshoot.

Don't use college admissions decisions are validations of your self-worth! Realize that everything happens for a reason, and keep your chin up. And remember, there are plenty of others in the same boat. Northwestern was literally my dream school.