If not getting into the first college of their choice is the hardest thing a teenager will ever face, I could only hope that disappointment is what my child would face.

Sent by dawn | 2:45 PM ET | 04-05-2007

I recently applied to attend college for a second time, and was at first disappointed to see a little envelope in the mail box, but was extra pleased when I opened it to find a 1-page acceptance letter, and directions to look up my next step on the University's web site. Congrats to University of Nevada Reno for reducing unnecessary paper.

Sent by Sue Duerksen | 2:47 PM ET | 04-05-2007

One of the issues discussed was the failure on the part of a parent demonstrating how to lose. I recall as a child the day I figured out that my father wasn't perfect. I recall it with crisp clarity! It was a shock and my teenage mind responded with rebellion and didn't follow an once of my fathers advice thereafter.
It wasn't until after I was nearly thirty that I realized what happened and called my dad to ask his opinion. Of course by then he figured out that he couldn't pretend to be perfect any longer. Now I always call him, to bad it took me nearly 20 years of learning the hard way!

Sent by Samantha Pennington | 2:54 PM ET | 04-05-2007

MY SON APPLIED TO SEVERAL SCHOOLS THINKING HE WOULD NOT GET IN SEEING THAT HE'S A "B" STUDENT. HE'S BEEN ACCEPTED TO ALL THE SCHOOLS. I'M WATCHING HIM STRUGGLING TO GET THE NERVE TO TELL HIS PARENTS THAT HE REALLY WANTS TO ATTEND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

Sent by debbie weinrick | 2:56 PM ET | 04-05-2007

I had hoped to get this through while the discussion was "live," but here goes. I was waitlisted for my second choice (refused for my first). I called each day to find out how my standing was, in all innocence. The second day they told me I was in. I hadn't realized that my actions would influence the outcome, but I was told they did. Good luck, waitlisted guy! (Plus, the school I went to turned out to be a MUCH better choice than my first choice would have been!)

Sent by Alex | 3:00 PM ET | 04-05-2007

I am currently a student at Northwestern Michigan College, a community college here in Traverse City, MI and I would like to thank you all for giving community colleges the credit they deserve. I have been accepted to the university of my choice due to, what I believe, is my experience here.

Sent by Jennifer | 3:00 PM ET | 04-05-2007

When I applied to college I got a rejection letter from my first choice, my only other reasonable option was going to school in state where I was offered a scholarship that paid my tuition for four years. I was not happy to go and was concerned about the caliber of the school, however, almost 8 years later I am a doctoral candidate at the same school in one of the top programs in my field. I guess the lesson is that every option offers something good and you may find yourself in a field you didn't even know existed. Attending this university is one of the best decisions I could have made, even if it was the only option.
P.S. Mine was also a one page acceptance from UNR...

Sent by Jen | 3:17 PM ET | 04-05-2007

Your college admissions discussion perpetuated one of the great half-truths of the admissions world, that "there are lots of great colleges out there". Yes, there are, but only a few offer substantial financial aid to middle class students. With the cost of attendance approaching $200,000 at many private colleges, this isn't a minor point. Admissions policies at many schools aren't even need-blind. Our kids were lucky enough to have been admitted at great colleges with extremely generous aid policies, without which they would not have been able to attend. While it may make guidance counselors and admissions officers feel better to say "there are lots of fine schools", this is a cruel hoax when most of those colleges are not affordable. Sadly, most kids don't discover this harsh reality until it's too late.

While the frenzy to be admitted at Harvard, Princton and the like may be fueled in part by status-seeking and other frivous motives, the economic logic is undeniable. Many students at these schools pay less than they would at a community college, for a degree recognized around the world. Until we've created financial accessibility at all the other "great schools out there", let's not be too quick to dismiss the anxiety surrounding admissions at these most competitive schools.

Sent by anonymous | 3:23 PM ET | 04-05-2007

I applied to four undergraduate programs in 1996. I was accepted everywhere, but could not afford the prestigious schools I wanted to attend. I reluctantly accepted a scholarship to my local state university. During my undergraduate studies I learned that a college education is what you make of it, not what you pay for it. At a low ranked state school I became determined to make the best of my circumstances. As an undergrad, I studied abroad, spent a semester working for the US Congress, and did a national exchange to a more prestigious state university.

I then worked overseas for two years. In 2002 I applied to one masters program. I think I was admitted because I seemed worldly, especially considering the university where I earned my BS. As a masters student I work on advanced research projects and interned at the National Academies of Sciences. I then applied to three PhD programs and was accepted to all of them.

Now that I am on faculty an looking at applications to my own department, I know that once a student meets basic admissions criteria, FIT is the most important reason students are accepted to programs. Two or three thoughtful applications will get a student further through the process than 20 generic applications. A successful student in a rural or tough urban community (demonstrating work ethic and the ability to work against all odds) will be admitted above an overachieving student from a costly prep school. Furthermore, a student who is dynamic and makes the best of a community college or local state college will be welcomed by more prestigious programs who are looking for low-risk, hard-working students who will complete the program and go on to successful careers.

Sent by m | 11:01 AM ET | 04-06-2007