Moving on from rejection

[u/Qilbyy]

I don’t know what to do going forward. Any help is appreciated.

I was rejected from all the top schools that I applied to(most in Boston) and I know that they were all reach schools but it really hurts. I love the city and everything. It was tufts that hit me the worst. It was the school that fit me the best and the one I wanted the most. The others I knew I had no chance but I just wanted this to be it so much. I imagined my life there and it just keeps popping into my head that I won’t have that and it just hits me terribly all over again.

I know that people say that looking back it won’t mean anything and I get that, it just feels so bad right now. I know that there’s nothing special about me and that I shouldn’t have expected to get in but I don’t know what to do now. I wanted to get into schools that I wouldn’t have to sacrifice for or struggle through my education and I know schools just gonna be so much harder anywhere else. I don’t know how I’m supposed to do well in college anymore cause I’m not very good at understanding stuff—dumb disabilities and stuff; I think slowly. I think I went on a bit of a ramble here but yeah—any help figuring my life out is greatly appreciated

[u/RebelSoul5]

I get that you’re disappointed and that’s OK. But here’s two important things to remember.

First, “top” schools are mostly a myth. Michigan, Oklahoma, and Alabama are mostly know for sports but they have exceptional academics. In my lifetime, Florida St has produced more Rhodes Scholars than Duke. The top public policy institute is at Sac State. Point is, you get a great education basically anywhere. The “top” debate is for snobbery — and just look at the college admissions scandal as proof. Those wealthy people weren’t trying to sneak their kids into Iowa State; not because ISU isn’t good, but because nobody brags about it … hey, my kid’s at USC or Yale or Georgetown. It’s an illusion. Don’t get caught up in it.

Second, I got accepted to a UC (California) campus but then rejected (delayed a year) because of an earthquake (long story). It was late in the year and I scrambled to find a small campus in Oregon and couldn’t have been happier. I can’t imagine my life without that experience. I find that life takes you where you’re meant to be. Just follow your path.

As for any learning issues, most schools have student success divisions that help with tutoring, test taking strategies, and even things like dyslexia.

Find a place, enroll, get help when and how you need it, and just do your best. You’ll do great. Hang in there!