Leigh Jacobson

Editor-in-Chief

Whereas a lucky few of us have heard favorable news from the schools we’ve applied to, many of us haven’t. This week and last week signal the most stressful point in first semester for us seniors – early decision notification time. While those who were accepted early (congrats!) can now enjoy the secure assurance of a future in college, the rest of us still have until March or April to stress out. In the meantime, we’re left with the question of how to handle our rejections. This week, in our closing article in the college series for first semester, The Roar is answering that question.

Top five ways to handle college rejection

1. Pretend nothing happened, and move on

This is by far the most mature option – I commend you if you are able to easily put it behind you, and focus on your apps to come. Many in our grade have, and many will in the future. Instead of thinking about your rejection, concentrate on your upcoming applications… or, if you’ve already submitted all of them, try to avoid hyperventilation because there’s nothing left for you to do at this point.

2. Punch things.

Freshmen beware – this week will produce a number of frustrated and potentially violent senior reactions. Make sure to not get in our way in the halls, cut us in line for Vicki’s or just generally look in any way antagonistic.

3. Cuddle with Ben and Jerry

So cliche it’s painful, but for some people it works. Binge away over winter break, and imagine a brighter future in the spring when the other decisions come out.

4. Start your own university comprised of people who have been rejected from college and stick it to the man 

Just kidding, this isn’t Accepted and you’re not Justin Long.

5. Pyromania, Pyromania, Pyromania

It’s the best of all coping mechanisms: don’t let anyone ever tell you differently. Grab any letters, fliers, booklets, sweatshirts (although if you feel bad about burning clothes you could just donate them to Goodwill), and throw them in a fire pit. Note: If you’ve already disposed of these, feel free to print out that school’s insignia and burn it instead. And don’t worry if you don’t own a fire pit – you can always use a fireplace, or utilize a local park’s fire pit and make an event out of it. Cook some meat or roast some marshmallows while you’re at it – I bet that school never imagined that their rejection would fuel a BBQ.

This is the last article in our college series until the end of first semester.

To read our previous article in the college series about the top five things you will hear on every college tour, click here.

To read our previous article in the college series about the top five mistakes to not make on the Common Application, click here.

To read our previous article in the college series about the top five thing questions you shouldn’t ask a senior, click here. 

To read our previous article in the college series about the top five reasons to not apply to a college, click here. 

To read our previous article in the college series about the top five ways to celebrate college acceptance, click here. 

All graphics by Leigh Jacobson.