College Advising: Accepted!

 

These are certainly anxious times.  I love hearing good news and dear thanks from my students:  “I got into Perfect University with a generous merit scholarship!” That was last week. This week, parents and students are feeling anxious. One student called in tears yesterday morning, then texted today, “Accepted!”

 

The key to handling the next few weeks is to have perspective and a plan.

 

Most high school students know that the University of California mails acceptances according to the schedule for each school (check online.) Some have already been sent, while the rest will be sent this week and next week. All the schools on your list should notify you by April 1st-- no fooling!  However, when students receive an offer of admission from one school, but nothing from their favorite school, they can’t sleep. It's only natural to wonder if schools send the first offers to their favorite students, while waiting longer to notify students who are second best. Just thinking about it starts to drive you a bit crazy!  Maybe some schools have varying schedules depending on the number of applicants and staff to handle them. Hmm…makes sense.

While I don’t have a cure for acceptance anxiety, I do have a trick that might pull you through. Try this:  For these next two weeks, be ready for 1) some Acceptances, 2) some offers to stay on a Wait List, and 3) and a Denial or two (sorry!) Create a colorful spreadsheet. List each school that you applied to down the side and create three columns in bold print: Admitted, Wait-list, Denied.  With your spreadsheet printed and taped to your kitchen door, you will be ready to check a box for each school, no matter what the offer is. You can vow now to celebrate every “yes” that comes in, have one bit of chocolate for each wait list or denial.

 

I like to even remove myself one step further and call all the acceptances "travel brochures." An offer of college admission actually represents future travel for the student, so this works.  If you receive a Wait List or a Denial, you might create another imaginary euphemism like “detained at the airport” or a “rescheduled flight.” When you think of college acceptances in creative ways, you will be able to transfer your anxiety to action and a new way of thinking.

 

After April 1st, I’d love to hear all the good news from all my readers.  And if it’s not good news, maybe I can help you move from the Wait List to Accepted, or from Denied to a new plan of action. Just keep imaging and all your dreams will come true.

 

All the best from www.PerfectFitCollege.net