If you submitted college applications early action or early decision, chances are you will be receiving news on your submission in the month of December. I used to think it was cruel to be sending out admission decisions during the holidays, but after watching students receive and process the news, I’ve changed my mind. Because, I’ve come to realize that each decision is actually a gift to remind students that it’s not what happens, it’s how they respond that makes all the difference.
Getting “denied” so early in the process can feel devastating. “Where’s the gift in that?” you might ask, and understandably so. No doubt, it’s sad and frustrating when you receive news about a college you really had your heart set on. But, once you process the news, the “gifts” are in the “why” of your reaction and “what” it means? “Why” was it such a top choice in the first place? “What” are the reasons you wanted to go there? Exploring and evaluating at this stage in the process will provide truly valuable insights that help you continue to develop the type of college experience you want to create and ultimately choose the college that you feel best provides that for you.
As disappointing as it can be to receive a denial, many feel it beats being deferred. This is when the college moves your application to the regular decision group to be evaluated. In “holiday terms”, it can feel like the equivalent of receiving the Amazon notice that delivery of your package has been delayed for several months. The “gift” in the deferral is actually two-fold: not only does it provide a chance to evaluate how you still feel about the college, based on other decisions you’ve received, you also have a chance to update the college on anything new you’ve accomplished since you applied (mid-year grades, awards, updated test scores, additions to your activities) or add things you may have missed. And, if the college is still one of your top choices, many colleges will allow you to submit a letter of continued interest, expressing your excitement to attend if admitted.
Did you get admitted? Wonderful! How do you feel? Does the news bring you immediate joy or are you hoping for more “gifts” to unwrap? Is it still what you wanted, or thought you wanted?
Receiving each outcome as a “gift provides an opportunity to gain insight and clarity around not just what happened but how you feel about it and what that means for you. It may not be exactly what you want, for now, but could end up being what you really want AND need.