EDITORIAL//College
May 1st. This is one of the most important deadlines in the lives of outgoing seniors, as this is the national day on which colleges demand that applicants have submitted their SIR (Statement of Intent to Register). With this comes a torrent of anxiety, worry, and stress. The reputed lucky “thick envelopes” have arrived, as have the more disappointing letters of rejection. The wild emotions of joy or bitter disappointment have faded (at least a little) and the focus has moved towards picking the college that will be right for the individual. Unfortunately, sometimes along with this, high school manages to infuse drama and competition into an already high stress situation.
Frankly, people need to calm down. Acceptance letters and their evil cousin – the rejection letters are arriving now. The acceptances of other people are not a cause for disbelief, anxiety, and/or jealousy. Simply because one person got into Stanford and another didn’t is not reason to harass the future attendee. Simple inquiries are fine, celebration with friends is great, and congratulations are perfectly in order, but disparaging remarks or jealous murmurs are unnecessary yet all too common.
It is necessary to remember that yes, the process of finally deciding on a college is difficult, but likewise the evaluation of the needs of an individual is just as important. A variety of factors (past loyalties, where friends are going, etc.) all tend to come into play in the decision making process, but ultimately the decision must come from within. The Ivy League college may not necessarily be the best choice for you, and an amazing private school may simply not be as cost effective as an alternative public school. Keep in mind that although it may sound great to be attending an extremely “prestigious” university, it is not worth it if you are miserable there, or when a more cost effective or desirable, yet “lesser” college admission is available.