Dealing with rejection from college, what to do now?

[The Protagonist]

I'm a high school senior and I'm doing the entire applying to colleges routine. So I'm pretty worked up about that, there is A LOT of competition, to the point where it is very cut throat. Especially considering that one of my major goals in life is to go to a really good school. So yea this post is going to sound very college-nerdy. Anyway I applied Early Decision to one of the Ivies (Cornell), (I am a decent applicant - high SAT scores, good essays, good extra curriculars). Results came out today, and I was flat out rejected. No wait-list, nothing just rejected.

I don't know what happened, I know that according to the intention-manifestation model that my thoughts manifest my reality. The truth is when I sent my application on November 1st I did not entirely want to go to the school I applied to. In fact now that I think back, my entire mentality was "oh I will transfer out after a year, Cornell is a temporary solution." (I wanted to stay there for a year and then transfer out to Penn) In fact during thanksgiving my aunt who asked me that if I could get into any of the following universities over Cornell - would I attend over Cornell: Northwestern, Columbia, U. Penn. My answer was yes for everyone of them. I told her that those were schools located in major cities where I could have many things to do, over Cornell which is located in the middle of no where. However since Thanksgiving day I realized my folly and I've been consciously thinking the opposite way; on how great Cornell would be, and how thankful I would be to be accepted there. In fact I intentioned and thought about it so much that it became a dominant belief that I would get in. I am assuming my early apathy for my acceptance and any negative thoughts associated with that caused my reality - my rejection letter?

Because after I started reading (still am)Ask and It is GivenI began to shift my focus about Cornell to a positive light. I did all I could to change my focus to how positive thinking. All I thought about was the acceptance letter and getting in. Every time I had a negative thought I would think about something else positive. Yet.. I still got rejected. Is it because I had greater beliefs? Is it because my former "I don't care about Cornell, it's a temp. fix" mentality? What is it. This is the first major rejection I've ever had to deal with. Up till now my life has been relatively easy, never any setbacks that were so personal. Just opening up the mail to see "Sorry You do not fit into Cornell's admitted list" hit me hard. Especially after my friends got into very competitive schools. (I'm very happy for them) I just wish I could also join in with the celebrations

I'm not sure what I'm going to do or what to do now. I have to bounce back, because I definitely still have that desire to get into a good school. What would be the best way to handle this now? How can I successfully intention getting into the next school I apply to?

[Colm OReilly]

Protangonist,

A few questions that might help you:

Is Cornell an end in itself, or a means to an end? For example, what do you want from college, and be as specific as you like with yourself (you can cut the details posting here)

Some suggestions: commaradie, a partner, team to play on, extra curricular activities, work placement that will lead to the firm you want, etc.

Could it be that Cornell is just a landmark on your journey to somewhere else - like you're ultimate goal is to be the next Gordon Gekko? If you know the destination, and you've absolute faith in your ability to get there, does the route matter? And if the route does matter, think to yourself, why?

Here's another (tough!) question? Why did you bring that rejection from Cornell into your life? Why did you want it?

Also, i can imagine your self belief has taken a knock for the time being and you can't see a way to manifest your goal anymore. If you're into affirmations, perhaps trying the affirmation

"No matter what happens, it benefits me." or "Everything, and everyone, makes my life better" to help build up your self belief.

Then you could also work on your self assurance, which is essentially "I don't know how, but I know what my goal is and that I'll succeed." Of course, the prerequisite of self assurance is clarity of outcome.

Lots of love,
Colm

[Alex Wu]

I've been through almost exactly what you're going through - dealing with rejection from top choice colleges. I have to say, the first few days (possibly weeks) are the worst, you just feel like the bottom's been blasted out of your plans for life. What's life worth now?

None of the Ivy Leagues would consider me, but I was admitted to some decent schools here at home in Canada, and four years later I'm pretty happy with the education. Life just sort of... continued, despite rejection from the Ivy Leagues. I started to realise that my life doesn't hinge on one event unfolding either one way or another, and there are many things in life worth doing besides going to an Ivy League school. Like living, for example :-)

[Cassie]

Hi Protagonist. I'm a strong believer that there are no coincidences in life. Your rejection is tied in with a greater purpose that perhaps you might've missed if you had been accepted into Cornell. I bet there is something waiting for you around the bend. Chin up. Cornell was not part of your destiny right now, but something equally (and moreso) wonderful will be!