News You Can Use...
IF ALL YOUR COLLEGES TURN YOU DOWN
by Dodge Johnson, Educational Consultant
from his Philadelphia Inquirer Column "Countdown to College"
There's no misery quite like having all your colleges turn you down. Like the hero trapped in an ancient play, you watch helpless as successive messengers pile on the bad news. Hope dissolves, and self-esteem plummets to absolute zero.
You may never know why. Many colleges had record numbers of applicants, so good news was spread thinner this year. And inevitably many decisions turned on trivia.
But sometimes those admissions offices are telling you something. Tough colleges think twice before taking students for whom good grades have always come hard. They worry that you'll have a constant battle getting by, that you'll have no time for other things.
If that's you, chances are you'll be happier and more successful where the academic pace is easier. And chances are that the confidence that comes from stretching instead of struggling will prove a far more valuable asset than a name-brand diploma.
Top colleges consistently reject bright people whose high school years might be titled The Easy Way Out. Red flags include: avoiding academic challenge, dropping science, language, or math early, grades significantly lower than SATs or ACTs would predict, a creampuff senior year, or signs that your main hobby is frittering or vegging or hanging out.
If that's you, you have just learned an invaluable life-lesson that two, five, ten years from now would cost you far more: you have to earn the things you want.
You've already paid full price for that knowledge, there's no need also to pay interest. So stop kicking yourself or feeling sorry for yourself. Hard as it sounds, you must rise above the pain and accept the challenge of a fresh start. Tape "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" to your mirror if that will help. But get moving. Action restores confidence as nothing else can.
If you really want to go to college this year, many wonderful places are still looking for students. Some have later deadlines. Others have 'rolling admission,' meaning they will keep taking students until they're full.
If you've been mesmerized by prestige, focus now on more useful qualities. Look for the right combination of challenge and nurture, of hominess and diversity. Aim for schools where they'll love you because you're a catch.
Have you decided you really want academic challenge? Honors courses at some otherwise less demanding college will provide plenty.
Who has long lines grateful graduates? Some colleges you never heard of have produced astonishing numbers of people who made a difference. For example, U.S. presidents have graduated from colleges like Eureka, Southwest Texas State, and Whittier.
Focus on ambience. If a college feels like home and you like the people, tell admissions you're ready to move in. That's a great climate for growing and learning - and succeeding.
And consider two other options. One is a liberal arts program in the right two-year college - where help with skills is more than lip service, and most people go on for a bachelor's degree. Then earn straight A's so you'll catch the eye of four-year colleges in a couple of years.
The other is a post-graduate year at a boarding school. It's not cheap, but the right one can stretch you intellectually while helping you learn self-discipline. And by the way, it's these qualities - not a 'name' - that will be your edge when you're ready to move on.
If none of these suggestions tempt you, consider that colleges may have done you a left-handed favor.
Don't laugh - or cry. Too many people rush for a liberal arts or business education because friends are going, families programmed them, or they have no idea of what else to do. And they never consider hands-on learning that can lead to a satisfying - and often lucrative - career.
Would you enjoy being a chef, mapmaker, real estate agent, photographer, ski industry professional, aviation administrator, medical illustrator, auctioneer, boatbuilder, horse sales agent, bookbinder, golf course manager, metalsmith, dog handler, locksmith, musical instrument repairer?
You can learn skills for these fields and many others in a college setting or elsewhere. And if you're stuck for direction, ask your guidance counselor for an interest or skills test to help point the way.
What about a job as your entree with some college courses as a side dishes? You'll be more mature when you think about college full-time. The combination may make you distinctive, and an employer who wants to hold on to you might pay your way.
And there's always military or social service, two time-honored ways to learn responsibility for yourself - by being responsible to others.
Whatever you do, learn from your setback and give your next step your best effort. If it's a job, do it well. If it's a skill or trade, become a master. If it's a college that wasn't what originally what you had in mind, give it your all - and shelve any thoughts of transfer for at least a year. You may be pleasantly surprised and very grateful.
Fairy tale dreams may come true because people wish for them. But real dreams come true mostly because people make them happen.
That's not so bad when you think about it. After all, it puts your future where it belongs - in your hands.
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