This is the time of year when it can be really tough to be a senior. Through thick or thin envelopes, by e-mail from colleges, or just a decision rendered over a website, each day brings news of joy or dismay to you and your peers. Years of hard work and study, hours spent prepping for admissions tests, and all that time given over to the college search and application process now results in a simple yes, no, or maybe. And through it all, seniors must consider both their own vulnerabilities and those of their friends and classmates who are experiencing the same phenomena.
Hopefully, you’re faced with choosing from among several excellent options; multiple acceptances can sometimes feel like too much of a good thing. For many students, a letter of denial from a favored university may be the first real rejection they’ve ever faced. It’s good to put these letters in perspective, especially if you’ve applied to very selective colleges. Sometimes a letter of denial is more reflective of the college’s need to craft a balanced class than of your qualifications as an individual applicant. Colleges must weigh issues such as ethnic and regional diversity, interest in a variety of majors, and the other qualities needed to create an interesting community of learners, with the attributes each applicant brings to the mix. Sometimes, ability to pay becomes a factor in the selection process.
The “maybe” letters are probably the hardest to take. If you’ve been waitlisted by one of your favorite schools, promptly let them know of your disappointment and desire to remain on the waitlist. Write a detailed letter explaining why you feel the college is a good fit, include any new information and perhaps an additional letter of recommendation, and send an update on senior year grades. Follow this up with a call to admissions, reiterating your interest in attending “Wait-list U” and asking if they need any additional information. Although you must commit to your next favorite college, sometimes persistence will be rewarded!
