You are GREAT!

[Warelin]

In a few weeks, you'll find out where you're accepted, rejected or waitlisted. By now, I'm sure you're experiencing all sorts of highs and lows. This is a very stressful process. Sometimes, all you want is some news because you're starting to feel down about the process.

Big News? You're alive.

-There are currently seven billion people alive today and the Population Reference Bureau estimates that about 107 billion people have ever lived. 

-Having just a few coins makes you richer than most people on Earth.
-You are unique and nobody in the entire world is like you are
-The opportunity to attend school is something many people don’t have. (Which makes having a college degree even greater!)
-Most people lack a bed of their own to sleep in
-Many people on earth lack access to clean water.
-Cell phones make talking to loved ones easy.
-You have friends that will always have your back. (And if you don't, message me. Let's talk. And if you do, let's talk anyways)
-You can enjoy pizza. Or Ice Cream.
-There are people in your life who love you more than you could ever know

-The Internet, n'uff said?

 

But in all seriousness, try not to compare yourself to others. We have a tendency to look at how great the lives of other people are going without realizing the stresses they're hiding. No matter where you get in or don't get in, please be proud of yourselves. You've worked incredibly hard to get to where you are. An acceptance doesn't determine who you are and a rejection doesn't make you lesser than. It just means not this year. You might realize that your passions change over the course of a year. And you might discover those new interests are really interesting when you do reapply. You might discover some universities that previously rejected you might accept you the following year and viceversa.

 

Lastly, a word on rankings:
USNews rankings for English are determined by 14 percent of respondents who were department heads or director of graduate studies. As such, it's hard to take rankings those seriously when a lot of the rankings are based on "name brand". Most departments are only paying attention to a few select schools and placements may vary considerably across specific interests. Follow your heart when making a decision. Happiness is the number one thing that will make you succeed in a program and that happiness will translate to the quality of work you produce.

Good luck all. You're going to do great!

[havemybloodchild]

Thanks @Warelin.  I needed that.

[mandelbulb]

2 hours ago, Warelin said:

But in all seriousness, try not to compare yourself to others. We have a tendency to look at how great the lives of other people are going without realizing the stresses they're hiding. No matter where you get in or don't get in, please be proud of yourselves. You've worked incredibly hard to get to where you are. An acceptance doesn't determine who you are and a rejection doesn't make you lesser than. It just means not this year. 

this is the hardest lesson of them all, isn't it? this is a paragraph i'm sure i'll be repeating to myself every day for the next three months.

[savay]

a thread of positivity!

[Warelin]

On 1/10/2019 at 2:53 PM, mandelbulb said:

this is the hardest lesson of them all, isn't it? this is a paragraph i'm sure i'll be repeating to myself every day for the next three months.

I think we can all use some positivity from time to time.

 

On 1/11/2019 at 8:07 AM, savay said:

a thread of positivity!

Always could use more positive affirmation!

On 1/10/2019 at 2:05 PM, kendalldinniene said:

Thanks @Warelin.  I needed that.

This process can be incredibly stressful. I remember it well. I think it's important to post it now because otherwise it feels like a "consolation" prize. It isn't. 

[jusrain]

I’m commenting on this so that it returns to the front page. I think more people need to read this (and read it twice over).

Edited January 31, 2019 by swarthmawr

[havemybloodchild]

2 minutes ago, swarthmawr said:

I’m commenting on this so that it returns to the front page. I think more people need to recurringly read this. 

Yes we do!

[Warelin]

Bumping this back up as a reminder.

[jillcicle]

This is so nice thank you ?

[Warelin]

This is your reminder that you're all wonderful!

[Warelin]

On 2/10/2019 at 6:12 PM, jillcicle said:

This is so nice thank you ?

You are great; don't forget it.

 

I've recently have seen a lot of negativity on these boards. You are worth so much more than rejections.

[havemybloodchild]

[cassidyaxx]

I wanted to emphasize here that everyone in this forum has been so sweet and kind!! Thank you to everyone who has helped ease other's anxieties, made calls to schools to help figure out the status of things, and for being so willing to answer questions. Also thank you to everyone who so sweetly congratulates others on their successes! You're all great. I know just reading the forums has helped me so much knowledge-wise but also anxiety-wise.  

[Deleted Because Useless]

I find myself returning to this post every once in a while to read old posts and see if anyone added anything to it. Here’s a part of a song I have been listening to a lot this past month! It’s from Jason Mraz’s “Have It All.”

 

 

May you have auspiciousness and causes of success
May you have the confidence to always do your best
May you take no effort in your being generous
Sharing what you can, nothing more nothing less
May you know the meaning of the word happiness
May you always lead from the beating in your chest
May you be treated like an esteemed guest
May you get to rest, may you catch your breath

 

And may the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows
And may the road less paved be the road that you follow

 

Well here's to the hearts that you're gonna break
Here's to the lives that you're gonna change
Here's to the infinite possible ways to love you
I want you to have it
Here's to the good times we're gonna have
You don’t need money, you got a free pass
Here's to the fact that I'll be sad without you
I want you to have it all

 

May you be as fascinating as a slap bracelet
May you keep the chaos and the clutter off your desk
May you have unquestionable health and less stress
Having no possessions though immeasurable wealth
May you get a gold star on your next test
May your educated guesses always be correct
And may you win prizes shining like diamonds
May you really own it each moment to the next

 

Oh, I want you to have it all
All you can imagine
All, no matter what your path is
If you believe it then anything can happen
Go, go, go raise your glasses
Go, go, go you can have it all
I toast you

Edited March 6, 2019 by Hopeful and Not

[Warelin]

Everyone could use a reminder.

[Cryss]

14 hours ago, Warelin said:

Everyone could use a reminder.

Thank you for this! 

[shieldmaiden]

Just popping up to say that this thread is absolutely necessary amid a wave of rejections (and implied ones). Hope you all the best and fingers crossed! These are hard times (even harder than the application season) indeed.

[S_C_789]

Commenting here to bump up this post on the message board!

Thanks for this thoughtful gesture, @Warelin!

A timely and comforting reminder. Positivity to all of us braving the storm and tides together.

Edited January 30, 2020 by SheCyborg