This is a roller coaster time for high school seniors. Early Decision and Early Action notifications are going out while students are studying for finals so emotions are high. I remind all of my students that no one admissions decision defines you. Wonderful things can come from acceptances as well as denials - though sometimes it takes time to see this.
This is me moving into my freshman year dorm. It wasn’t my first choice college going in, but it certainly felt like my first choice college coming out. I had my heart set on a certain super-selective college (or as some counselors call it, “highly rejective college") that waitlisted me and eventually denied me. While it hurt then, I am thankful - it led me to an incredible college (and eventually career) experience. And, as it turns out, I earned my master’s degree at that very same university that had previously denied me.
So give the seniors in your life a hug. They are at the beginning of a season of big feelings.
