When one’s mind ponders the subject of academic elitism, exemplary universities such as Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Stanford, and Vanderbilt may cross their mind. For a vast majority of students enrollment in these noteworthy institutions represents an idealistic fantasy incongruous with their plans for life. However, for a select few they represent probable reaches. Seniors Liz Larsen, Payton Hanby, Alex Stillwell, and Nathan Hernandez all braved the anxiety-ridden application process to one or more of the aforementioned prestigious universities. While none of the students emerged victorious in regards to acceptance, they all recuperated and gathered wisdom from the experience.
According to College Board.com, these universities all have a similar acceptance rate of about ten percent. With such narrow openings denial of even the most outstanding students is unfortunately commonplace. Despite this fact, denial can take a major dig at the confidence of students such as Larsen and Hanby that have had their efforts focused on elite institutions for many years. However, upon rejection Larsen quickly realized that the attack on her confidence could be overcome with rational thought.
“I have come to realize that it is not that I wasn’t good enough, but that so many apply and the completion is so fierce. I realized it just wasn’t the right place or the right time for me personally,” said Larsen.
Larsen had hoped to attend Columbia University since she was about ten years old as she has always dreamt of living in the dazzling metropolis of New York City and studying theater. While Larsen was not admitted to Columbia for undergraduate study, she will still receive an excellent education regarding her area of interest at Oklahoma City University. She also plans to round off her secondary education by attending Columbia for graduate school. Larsen’s college excursion taught her the importance of options in the pursuit of excellence.
“I have learned that it is really important to try for your dream, but also to have a back-up plan,” said Larsen.
Like Larsen, Hanby narrowed her focus on one particular institution. Hanby attended Stanford University for a summer program the summer preceding her junior year and absolutely fell in love with what the school had to offer. She strove to encompass attributes Stanford seeks into her scholastic persona and utilized those attributes to compile a common application as well as ten supplemental essays. She applied for her admission and was wait-listed before eventually being denied late March. According to Hanby, the difficult process strengthened her faith and reaffirmed that God was in control of the decision rather than herself. Due to this confirmation, Hanby found a glimmer of positivity in the midst of rejection.
“It was a bittersweet moment. Sad because I did not get into my dream college, but exciting because it was the last decision I heard before I could decide where I wanted to go,” said Hanby.
Hanby stated that the denial shaped the location of her undergraduate studies rather than her ultimate mission. She still maintains her original plan to major in chemistry and pursue a career in the medical field, but will attend Baylor University in Waco Texas rather than Stanford.
Unlike Larsen and Hanby, Stilwell did not fixate on a particular prestigious out of state university. While Stillwell has always planned to attend the University of Arkansas, he applied to both Harvard and Vanderbilt to test the waters. He understandably felt his exceptional SAT score of 2160 and National Merit Scholar status among other academic achievements would propel him above the other applicants, but admitted to not putting much effort into his application as he chose to omit the optional supplemental essay. Stilwell was ambivalent towards his rejection, but it did not alter his post graduation plans in the least. He will attend the University of Arkansas with a Chancellor’s Scholarship and hopes to attend Vanderbilt for graduate school.
Hernandez had more malleable college expectations in comparison to the previously mentioned seniors. He applied to Harvard and Yale among other institutions without an initial permanent preference. While Hernandez’s knowledge base, work ethic, and passion made him a clear candidate for either Harvard or Yale he was ultimately denied admittance to both universities. The application process for both schools included a common application coupled with a supplemental essay. Despite his confidence in his applications, Hernandez did not feel significantly propelled above all other candidates.
“Every application that goes to a school that society considers to be in the upper echelon is one from an individual who is probably worthy in their own merits. I may have had something nominally ‘greater’ than someone else but that was likely reciprocated in a different area,” said Hernandez.
Upon rejection, Hernandez solidified his college plans by accepting his admittance to West Point Military Academy. Enrollment at the academy entails earning a degree in four years before serving in the Army for eight. Additionally, admittance to West Point is no small feat. Hernandez completed the rigorous application process comprised of a multitude of essays, fitness assessments, medical evaluations, nominations, and interviews. The application proceedings also called for an intensive overall application and congressional approval. His work was rewarded as he was the only being in the state to be granted acceptance. Even though Hernandez did face rejection, he still has advice to offer those intending to apply for college.
“The tiny things and extracurricular [activities] you do to put on a resume aren’t going to matter much in the end. Find a passion and do something that makes you happy and makes an impact on the world on the world around you. People want to see people who care, not someone chasing a piece of paper,” said Hernandez.
