You’ll have no choice, so you better just consider it your 1st choice!
I believe that things work out for a reason. So if things didn’t work out at your first choice school, I would take that as a sign that you weren’t supposed to be there. If it was too hard and you failed your classes (or got D’s), that wouldn’t do your future any good anyway. There is a reason why you were supposed to go to your second place school! You might not know for 10 years after what that is….maybe a spouse, business partner, best friend, or contact you made with a professor….but there is a reason why you are supposed to got to the school you got into!
Why was it your second choice in the first place? Don’t forget that you liked this school enough to rank it this high and therefore, you should not be dismayed about the situation at hand. Colleges can be quite selective and remember that there are many more in the same boat as you. Be happy about your situation and make the most out of the school you will attend.
Many many colleges are just wonderful places and even if a school isn’t your top choice, I can assure you that you can be happy at your second, third or even last choice school. Seize opportunities at the school you chose to attend, whether academic or extracurricular. Join groups that are inclusive, including faith-based groups or outing clubs, so that you gain friends with similar interests. Visit your professors during office hours so that you can take advantage of their knowledge and expertise. And don’t look back and spend your time bemoaning the fact that you didn’t get accepted to your first choice school.
The best way to make the most of the second choice is to lose the number. Regardless of a student’s interests and ambitions there is no single right school and at the highest levels the admission decision making might as well have involved a roll of the dice so to let it determine your outlook is totally unproductive. Indeed, more important than any than any label is what the individual student makes of their education. It is about an educational experience, not a line on a resume. If they go limping onto the campus of their “second” choice, then it will be a disaster, but if they embrace the opportunity and take full advantage of all the school lit has to offer then they will have a valuable and rewarding educational experience. Ultimately a student has more control over that than they did over the admissions process. Make it yours and it will be a good one.
If your initial college list was compiled appropriately, there shouldn’t be a “second choice” school (or third or fourth choice). Every school on your list should be one where you’ll be happy and receive an excellent education. If you did your homework before applying, be confident in your choices and know that you’re headed off to a school that is an excellent fit for you. Let it become Your College right away. Buy a sweatshirt. Start networking with other incoming freshman. Go to the accepted students’ day with an open heart and mind. It’s up to you to decide what kind of college experience you’ll have; commit to making it an amazing one.
Second choices are often best choices. I have worked with so many kids who don’t get into their top, top choice college, BUT they NEVER look back. They realize their second choice has everything they want. They find great academic resources, amazing activities, and truly remarkable and fun friends. In fact, most second choice colleges are truly the top colleges for these students.
When deciding which schools to apply to, every single one of your choices should be an institution in which you would feel comfortable and where you feel that you would have a good experience both academically, extracurricularly, and socially. Try not to rank the schools in your mind as “first choice”, “second choice”, etc. (I know that’s hard to avoid, but really do try very hard not to categorize them in that way!) Then when you get your acceptances and the usually inevitable denials, you will not be in a position of having to “make the most” of your second choice. You will already know that each one of the schools to which you applied could have been a “first choice” for you, and when you get actively involved with classes, activities, and friends during your Freshman year, whatever school you’re in will indeed become your “first choice”.
Think about why your chose that school in the first place! Sure — you are probably disappointed if you cannot attend your first choice — but you need to move on and think about the options that you DO have.
If you look at your life’s journey as a train that stops at many stations and allows you to get on and off any number of times, it can help you gain perspective about rejection. Your second choice may not be second best. There may be opportunities that arise at your second choice that may not have been possible at your first choice. That rejection letter can give you an opportunity to reevaluate your goals. Why did you choose your first choice school? What is it about your second choice that makes you feel it is not as good? What do you really want out of life? What are you looking for in a college? How many ways can you achieve your goals?
Forget that it is your second choice and dive right into the campus–academics and activities. Soon you probably will not even remember that you ever wanted to go to a different school! Always be mindful that your college experience will be what you make of it and take control of your future.
The best way is to remain somewhat detached until you receive notification of admission. But that rarely happens. I know it is difficult to let go of a dream school, but when students fall head-over-heals from their top choice, they will suffer heartbreak when rejected. It’s disappointing. How would you advise a friend to move on and get over a boyfriend or girlfriend who dumped them? Looking at your second choice school isn’t all that different. You need to let go of the rejection and begin looking for the positive factors in this new opportunity.
It’s tough when you’re rejected by a college you really wanted to go. Yet, I tell students they have 24 hours to feel bad about the situation, and then they need to dust themselves and realize the opportunity to find a perfect place to continue their education still exists. In terms of a strategy, I tell students to re-evaluate why they wanted to study at that school in the first place. From there, we figure out other possible colleges and universities that have similar characters and curriculum. Remember, going to college is a commitment to self-improvement and a launch pad to future personal and professional success. Don’t let a speed bump ruin your journey!
While it may be your second choice, this school has chosen you. Enjoy knowing that they want you, they see you fitting in there, no one else ever needs to know it wasn’t your first choice college. Chances are good that over the next four years, you won’t be able to even imagine graduating from anywhere else! Get involved, make stuff happen that you saw and liked on that first choice campus, and remember that you put this school on your list for some reason. Embrace the here and now and you won’t be sorry.
– Start a spreadsheet! Keeping track of your expenses by keeping receipts and entering them into a spreadsheet will give you an idea of how much you are spending. You can divide it into what type of expenses too, so if you need to cut back you can see where you are spending the most money. – Get a mobile banking app. Nowadays, almost all banks have smartphone apps. If you have your own bank account and a smartphone, download your bank’s app. It will give you quick access to your balance. Make sure you check it regularly, and you will see how you are doing moneywise. – Sometimes using cash is better. Instead of using your debit card for expenses, try only using it to withdraw cash and pay for everything that way. It will mean that you are dealing with a smaller amount of money at a time so you can see how quickly you spend it. It also makes money more real to you- by spending cash you can see exactly what you spend and it’s not as emotionless as swiping a piece of plastic and getting whatever you want. Make sure you keep your receipts, though if you still want to maintain a spreadsheet!
Number 1, I hope you are applying to colleges you would enjoy going to. I discourage students from having a “first choice omg if I don’t get in my life is over” college. There isn’t just one college you would love, there are several. Honest. The more popular the college, the less control you have. Never let a college tell you what YOU are worth. Obviously your “second choice” college knows what you are worth, and they want you on their campus. Number 1 doesn’t know what they are missing. Remember this: you are being judged according to criteria you would NEVER use to judge someone else, and no one will ever judge YOU again by these criteria. Immerse yourself in the joy of going to your new first choice, I am betting you will be very successful and happy there.
I suggest you to consider your top five schools seriouly. if you have options to select the best one once acceptences are offered, you should not change your list based on the top five schools.
It’s easy to be disappointed during college admissions session. With the volume of applications, colleges are turning down qualified applicants in record numbers. Sometimes, that causes pain, especially if a student has his or her heart set on one college.
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