Mais Ali and Kamera Osborne

As spring approaches, college applications are wrapping up and some colleges either already have or are soon announcing decisions.

The stress of applying to colleges is unimaginable, from trying to write the perfect essay, to figuring out what extracurriculars stand out, to stressing about SAT/ACT scores, to comparing yourselves with other students in the school to figure out if it’s even worth applying to the same school someone with higher stats is applying to (it’s always worth trying!!).

Attending a Philadelphia high school, it’s no surprise a big chunk of seniors applied Early Decision to UPenn. Awaiting decisions from such a prestigious school as the University of Pennsylvania had many seniors not only bustling with excitement but also crawling with nerves. This anticipation of being accepted versus the dread of being rejected didn’t always cultivate the most positive academic or social environment and may have even sparked a quiet sense of competition within peer groups. One anonymous senior even recalled feeling tiny pangs of jealousy when hearing of their dear friend getting into the school but they didn’t.

 This sense of competition often stems from the highly competitive nature of Central High School. Each extracurricular and class counts, with many precisely picking each one since freshman year. Having dedicated so much time to a single goal can often leave students feeling disappointed or bitter when their choice of college rejects them. They may feel as if the school is personally rejecting the efforts of their entire high school career choices. This mindset only fosters negative thoughts and students fail to realize rejection isn’t a personal failure. Rejection letters aren’t a measure of intelligence or physical prowess. It simply shows you may not fit what the school is looking for. The problem is that seniors will read their rejection and overthink different ways to change themselves for college instead of changing it to fit their needs. 

As annoying or overdone as this phrase seems, it’s true: rejection is redirection. Everyone’s destined to find their schtick or spark and at the end of the day, a college degree is not only universal but valuable to any job. It is your efforts and determination that shape your future, not simply the prestige of a college. Students shouldn’t let these efforts go to waste in the sea of colleges that may reject or accept their admission. 

With that in mind, it’s great that the unofficial 284 rejections Instagram page was open enough to post rejections so people can feel better about their own too. Social media often highlights only the success stories of people’s lives, but it is comforting to see the realistic lows people face every day too. A sense of isolation or inadequacy can build within when only presented with school acceptance letters but this page has shone some light on the scary feeling of rejection. By presenting an honest perspective on rejection and offering empathy, this page has united people in their shared pain and reminded them that rejection isn’t the end of their story.