Hands shaking, heart pounding, eyes racing over the screen, you find yourself staring at the update on your application. The letter holds your dreams and desires, the largely idolized school you have played out in your mind.
Whether the letter contains an acceptance or rejection, why do we carry so much emotional weight for one “perfect” college? Is it an accumulation of built-up delusion, creating fantasies of your persona at the school? Is it a chase after championing the prestige of a flashy name, or for acceptance at the university your parents or siblings attended?
When selecting your home for the next four years, it’s important to recognize that no single university can encompass all of your desires. The notion of a so-called “perfect school” not only overshadows the unlimited possibilities different campuses offer, but simply does not exist.
The idea of a perfect university cannot be confirmed until we live it. Often, society places a filter over our eyes, showing us only what they want us to see. It’s not until we experience the situation that we truly see the reality.
If the email flashes a “Congratulations!” you celebrate, spend the summer dreaming about campus life. For some, the university could be exactly what they longed for. However, for many students, when the fall semester begins, they find that the school was greatly different from what they first envisioned. Maybe the overhyped campus is underwhelming, or the academic pressure and rigor overshadows the excitement of learning. Maybe the perfect school you imagined isn’t truly what you needed.
Meanwhile, with a declining offer, most respond with tear-filled eyes, and are patted on the back, receiving a “it’s not the end of the world,” pep-talk. However, they’ve already hyper-imagined their entire academic life, persona, and social life on that campus — one that doesn’t exist. But is this reaction valid? Are “dream schools” the wrong approach?
When considering universities, we should keep an open mind, because there are a variety of factors that play into an admission rejection or acceptance. Firstly, highly ranked universities value academic strength and vigor, and even if you are qualified, the admissions must see you as a good fit for the school to get in. According to a report from Challenge Success, a research organization associated with Stanford University, “a good fit is a college where a student will be engaged — in class and out — by what the college has to offer. It’s a place where they will learn, grow, and thrive, regardless of its rank or prestige.” A school becomes a good fit not based on a name, but how you grow and thrive within the community. Schools that accept their students look beyond just their qualifications, because the majority of the competitive applicants look the same. They analyze the fit of the student and how the student would fit in on their campus — even more for highly selective schools. A majority STEM school, like Massachusetts Institute of Technology or California Institute of Technology, may look for students that are not only academically excellent, but inquisitive, creative and passionate about STEM — students who they believe will truly make an impact on their campus and in their future careers. While factors of admissions are a lottery-like system, a school will likely admit students they think will compliment and thrive in the campus culture. Schools like the University of Pennsylvania and University of Chicago are heavily business focused schools, and may search for students with strong leadership qualities and entrepreneurial knowledge, not just academic talent.
Having a dream university is a bit humorous, secondly, because you don’t know ultimately if you will be selected or not. In most cases, this mindset will only set you up for failure and disappointment. Not only do you have to be extremely qualified and a great “fit,” but you also have to be unique, and have specific and demonstrated qualities that the university values, often, an “X factor” — a quality that you cannot describe that makes someone special. The college must believe that you have something that the campus could benefit from. Rather than idolizing one school, be open to applying to multiple schools that you can see yourself attending, in terms of academics, social life and location. Ultimately, college admissions are not in your hands, so why place your hopes on a single option that doesn’t even guarantee an acceptance?
Rather than stressing and overanalyzing what could happen, focus on what is happening now. Having a dream school is not only a waste of your energy, but full of delusion and blocking off the beauty of the infinite opportunities to grow and thrive. Enjoy your senior year, cherish the time you have with your friends and family and enjoy the process. At the end of the day, your success isn’t defined by the college you attend but how you make the most of the opportunities surrounding you. You are capable of more than you could ever imagine; don’t let a rejection or acceptance diminish your belief in yourself.
You are, and will always be, your own X factor.
