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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by antigua on April 13, 2006, at 11:35:34
I have a son who is a senior in high school. He's a 4.0 student, with 8 AP classes in his career; perfect SAT score; significant community service work over the past three summers; and a host of worthwhile extracuriccular (sp?) activities. His school and our family developed the list of schools for him to apply to--and when we saw the school's list, we asked if they were sure, was it reasonable to expect that he would get in? They said absolutely yes. My husband and I added the state school just in case.
Well guess what? He was rejected at most of the schools and wait-listed at two (one of which is his first choice, but it's going to be tough). He got into the honors program at our state school (which is really very good, but he doesn't want to go there--but he will if he doesn't have a choice).
I'm mad and heartbroken. Watching this kid open five rejection letters in one day would break any mother's heart. I'm mad at the school for not suggesting more lower tiered schools, but they said last year he would have gotten into all of his choices. Well, this isn't last year and they made a big mistake.
We're scrambling and working on his two wait-listed schools, but I feel very badly for my son. He's actually taking it better than we are, but it's still a roller coaster.
Moral of the story: no matter what you're told, make sure you apply across the board (even though we did think we had reach, acceptable, and lower level schools).
one sad mother, who knows it doesn't really matter where he ends up, he will thrive,
antigua
Posted by Dinah on April 15, 2006, at 10:38:15
In reply to College rejection angst, posted by antigua on April 13, 2006, at 11:35:34
:(
I understand. Believe me, we had this whole decision tree mapped out for kindergarten acceptance, and I waited with bated breath for nine months for his acceptance. It was worse than pregnancy. With contingency plans for if he was accepted in neither of our favored programs.
But you're probably right in that it hurt you worse than it hurt him, and that he'll thrive no matter where he goes. State universities offer an excellent education in the honors classes.
I think it's a good point, though, to include all sorts of possibilities in your applications. Although at some point, you may decide that state university is as good an education, and a much better value, than some of the private colleges.
I don't think our finances will stretch to a top tier university. My son has a college fund set up by his grandparents that is healthy by state university standards, but would never pay for an Ivy League education. :( We're spending our funds on his K-12 education in the hopes that if he learns his fundamentals and learns how to think he'll be fine wherever he goes to college or what he decides to do for a living.
Posted by Nella on October 6, 2008, at 2:07:17
In reply to College rejection angst, posted by antigua on April 13, 2006, at 11:35:34
You have my sympathy.
I'm thinking about starting a thread about my daughter's devastation and depression at being rejected by her high school Varsity team. Seeing her pain and watching her struggle isn't easy. And, yes, like you I am mad as heck at the school.
It's interesting that you say he's taking it better than you are. After seeing the depth (and breadth) of my daughter's distress six weeks after her rejection, I now wish I had handled the initial disappointment differently. If your son is doing well, count your blessings. I would have heard that cliche as impertinently glib six weeks ago, but I've now seen how quickly a great kid can go down.
Your story is scary, and I'll keep it in mind as my high-achieving daughter applies to colleges. He really had a PERFECT SAT? That is amazing! I thought my kid would be okay with a 2200.
Crazy, over-competitive world we live in... I feel your pain. (And if you have any advice for prospective applicants, I'd be mighty interested.)
This is the end of the thread.
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