For many seniors, myself included, college decisions can be as stressful as they are exciting. The process of applying is both mentally and physically exhausting — badgering teachers for recommendation letters, crying on your laptop while on Common App, comparing your extracurricular activities to those of your friends — if you have not experienced any of this or if you’re an underclassmen, well, let’s just say I’m envious of your leisure.
Alas, after you have pressed the submit button of your application, comes the dreaded waiting period. Checking the school’s portal website at least twice a day, poring over scatter grams and acceptance statistics, with your self-confidence swaying by whatever information Prep Scholar or College Confidential presents to you.
But why do we experience this, or should I say, why do we do this to ourselves? What I want to say is that the name of the college you go to does not matter. It is one thing to have a top-choice school for your intended major or because your love for [insert school name] is so great. To place your self-worth in a specific college is unnecessary and unwise.
Contrary to popular belief, going to an Ivy League or Public Ivy school does not automatically get you employed. These schools are distinguished and notable, however they are not your only key to success and happiness. I know of a girl who graduated from James Madison University, beat her Ivy competitors, and was selected to work for IBM (International Business Machines Corporation).
Wherever you go, I can almost guarantee that you will be happy. And if you’ve worked hard, the seeds of your efforts will not disappoint you. Your life does not end if you get rejected, no matter how hard it is to believe it. Do not buy into the lie that your worth lies in your academics or what college you’ll go to.
I’m 18 years old and, although not very mature, I can say that being stressed out about where you go to college does not get you anywhere. Instead you’re wasting your time, circling in the same spot of despair, which no one wants to do (hopefully).
Instead, do yourself a favor and take a minute to breathe, pat yourself on the back, and tell yourself “you’re doing great, you have done great!” because that’s what you are — great — no matter what college sweatshirt you end up wearing.