The worst part of not getting in early is not the actual rejection. Since most students are applying to more than 10 other schools, it’s not so much this one rejection, but the implications of it. What does it mean for my other schools? If my early rejects me, doesn’t this mean, the other schools will too?
The simple answer: absolutely no way. In fact, there is zero correlation between the results of early apps and regular apps. So what does getting rejecting in early mean for regular apps? Nothing. Nothing at all.
Here are a few
Got rejected from UChicago but accepted to Harvard and Yale (Harvard waitlist)
Got accepted to UChicago but dropped from Northwestern, Johns Hopkins and Berkeley
Got deferred from Penn, dropped from Northwestern and Cornell and then accept to Penn during regular
>>> For more extensive help, consider reaching out to an IvyZen Mentor and get your application and essays reviewed. The Essay Review Program (ERP) is free and helps students receive feedback on their Ivy League college application essays. Email us at info@ivyzen.net for more information. https://www.ivyzen.net/ivy-league-essay-review-program/
Many are under the false belief that if you are accepted to one school, you will be accepted to all or most schools below – this is not true in the least. There are too many factors involved in the admissions process. Not all schools see the same student in the same way. There are all kinds of hidden agendas and plans, goals and procedure by each admissions committee. Also, in recent years, schools have been more careful about admitting students whom they do not think will actually attend. It makes it very difficult for them to meet their minimum number of students. This works for high and low students.
For example, one of our students five years ago who eventually went to Dartmouth, applied to UMichigan early. He was rejected and the school counselor was so shocked he called the admissions committee. They promptly replied that if the student really intends to come, they would accept him.
So if you didn’t get into your early school, do not get overly anxious. Students (and especially parents) who get overly anxious sometimes make mistakes. They will sometimes rewrite what was already a good main essay or ruin relationships with the people who can most help them in their current situation (parents, friends, counselor, consultant).
>>> For more extensive help, consider reaching out to an IvyZen Mentor and get your application and essays reviewed. The Essay Review Program (ERP) is free and helps students receive feedback on their Ivy League college application essays. Email us at info@ivyzen.net for more information. https://www.ivyzen.net/ivy-league-essay-review-program/
A few months later, she was accepted to Harvard, Dartmouth, Columbia and Brown.
>>> For more extensive help, consider reaching out to an IvyZen Mentor and get your application and essays reviewed. The Essay Review Program (ERP) is free and helps students receive feedback on their Ivy League college application essays. Email us at info@ivyzen.net for more information. https://www.ivyzen.net/ivy-league-essay-review-program/
The most common mistake students make in their applications is presenting a well-balanced profile rather than focusing on a unique theme.