27 May Waiting for the College Acceptance Letter
When T.S. Eliot wrote that April is the cruelest month, he definitely did not have U.S. high school seniors in mind – for them, it is often March, as they wait for their college admission decision letters. High school students often feel like a college acceptance is an evaluation of their high school career, but a college acceptance should not be given this much credence and definitely should not define a student’s self-worth. There are many variables that affect a college’s decision about whom to accept, most of which are out of your student’s control. Mandates from the Board of Trustees may include increasing the number of First-Generation students, recruiting students from certain states to increase geographical diversity, or admitting humanities students to fill spaces in a new Arts Center. The most important thing is to remind your child that there are a ton of wonderful colleges and universities in the U.S., and that their college experience is what they make of it – they should get involved, make friends and let their minds soar. Read below for some helpful thoughts from a psychologist about how to help your child cope with stress while they wait for the college acceptance letter.