With a greater number of people applying to prestigious universities, getting accepted has become even more difficult. Personally, I have been rejected from a couple universities that I was hoping to attend, so I asked some MHS alumni about how they dealt with rejection.
MHS alumnus Serenity Mosqueda is currently attending Cal State Monterey Bay as a sustainable hospitality major. Living in Silicon Valley puts pressure on teens to get into distinguished and well-known schools, Mosqueda said over text. She added that instead of gaining debt from attending expensive schools, you should invest in opportunities that further add to your skillset.
“Community college is often seen as a ‘lower’ type of schooling, but in reality it can allow you to figure out your major and save your money in the long run,” Mosqueda said. “A lot of community colleges make getting into schools by transfer a lot easier these days. In the end, you will have the same diploma, so why not save a bit?”
As Mosqueda lacked the requirements for her dream schools, she said it made her feel incompetent for not planning things out sooner. Instead of regretting the past, she looks for what she can do to control the future, Mosqueda said.
There are also many other options for seniors, Mosqueda said. “I know some friends who are taking a gap year to work some jobs or internships in their industry before they commit, which allows you to accumulate money and give yourself time to think,” she said, “other friends are learning trades or skills in order to start up their own small businesses. In the end, college or not, your future relies on your ability to take advantage of opportunities that come up around you, no matter if it’s from a job board or from a past teacher. No matter what though, make a LinkedIn.”
MHS alumnus Alex Phan is attending the University of Washington and advises to not linger on the rejection. He adds that any college you end up in will still have benefits and may possibly suit you more.
“I got rejected from my first college of choice, but I ended up falling more in love with UW than I ever did with my first college choice,” Phan said. “If you really are set on where you want to go, but you got rejected, I’d recommend researching which community colleges allow you to transfer to your dream school. Plus, it saves a ton of money for those first two years, so don’t disregard community colleges so easily,” Phan added.
If you don’t feel ready for college, Phan suggests attending a trade school where you can learn a variety of skills like plumbing or electrical work, for example. By having these experiences, you can start making money right after high school without a degree, Phan added.
“The best way to deal with rejection is to make a plan moving forward,” Phan said. “If you get rejected from your dream school, you can’t be stuck on the ‘what-if’s’ of the past. The best way to move on is to be prepared and to try to get excited for your next move in life.”
After attending Milpitas High School, alumnus Max Jones decided to attend De Anza College for one semester then to take a gap year. With the intention to enroll in De Anza College from the start, he advised current seniors that there are always other paths you can take.
“You don’t necessarily have to get into one specific college because as long as you have the drive you’ll achieve whatever you set your sights on,” Jones said. “It doesn’t really matter if you got into your first pick, second, or even fifth as long as you use your available resources and know yourself.” He added, “Accepting rejection, letting go, and moving on is a part of the process.”
With all the options besides going to college, Jones said that it depends on your goals and interests. How far you are willing to go depends on your choices, whether you’re content with a certain ending or want to go beyond that, he added.
“Figure out what interests you and go for it head on,” Jones said. “Some people will be content working at an entry-level job, while others will want to tear their hair out over it. Only you really know what you’re willing to strive for and what you’re not,” he added.
Senior Angelina Tsui will be attending De Anza College with the plan to major in psychology in the future. Similar to Jones’s advice, she recommends to other seniors that you just need to let go of a specific path and find another that suits you just as well.
As a note to underclassmen, Tsui recommended that students take care of their mental health and physical health. “I understand that many of you have strict parents, but this is your life that you’re living, and at the end of the day, you’re the only person who can live it,” Tsui said. “Make sure to always try your best, and always put your health, mental or physical, first.”
Senior Alex Dang, who will be studying chemistry at UC Davis stressed the greater importance of how you mature and grow as a person because the college you attend doesn’t define how much you’re worth. Instead of taking more difficult classes to look better, he suggests that underclassmen seek opportunities to be an expert in the field of study they wish to pursue.