Elite programs, scholarships, decisions, and student debt: What I wish I knew

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by Bhageerathi Ganesan

Dear Readers,
Throughout the next week or so, college decisions will be released. Looking back on my high school journey, I’m very grateful to my high school teachers and counselors for all their support, as well as to all the college admissions officers I met who were kind enough to help me and advise me through the process. However, 20/20 hindsight can be an unfortunate, but a beneficial thing, too. This was the case for me when it came to elite programs, scholarships, decisions, and student debt. Here is what I learned from friends, family, and personal experience that I wish I and/or the students in my graduating class knew earlier:
  1. Elite programs and schools are “elite” for a reason. If you’re applying for a major or a program that takes only 6-15 people, then it’s certain that it will come down to shades of differences between applications to differentiate between who gets in and who gets cut. A rejection is NOT, for the most part, a reflection of you or your ability to succeed in the program; it is just a reflection of where you stand in the applicant pool in the context of what the admissions committee wanted in the entering class.
    1. A corollary to this statement is: act like the professional you wish to become, but do not compromise who you are just to try to get into the program. It’s better to be cut as an authentic applicant than to be admitted as an inauthentic applicant. There’s a difference between marketing yourself and creating a facade, and facades get you nowhere.
  2. Work hard on your standardized testing. I was fortunate to be named a National Merit Semifinalist and Finalist. Don’t discount the value of the PSAT/NMSQT! Some schools, like the University of Cincinnati, do offer full scholarships for National Merit Finalists, and it opens a lot of doors for a variety of selective pre-college programs. They made all the difference to me as an applicant and as an interviewee.
  3. That being said, be prepared to pay for college to a certain extent. “Why not apply to a merit scholarship?” you may ask. I highly encourage you to apply for as many merit scholarships as possible to maximize your chances at funding. However, please realize that getting a merit scholarship is difficult. Merit scholarships are often no longer just about a spotless academic record, but about how you set yourself apart. Here’s where shades of differences kick in yet again. Work hard to set yourself apart, but don’t beat yourself up if you get cut. In short: You. Are. Not. Special.
    1. On the note of payment: the cheapest school may not be the best option for you. Computer scientists call this route of action the “greedy algorithm,” which often fails because you end up locking yourself out of opportunities that may make a big difference to you (academically, professionally, or otherwise). Here’s where you need to step in. Do your research continuously; keep collecting data about the school both before and after you apply. This way, you can pencil down a course of action, but will be prepared to change it if need be so that you make the best decision for you.
  4. Don’t blindly follow or seek validation from others. Other people can offer great resources and tips, and by all means, consider them, but make your own decisions (and be prepared to stand by them!). It’s you who’s going to college. Seeking validation from others is a toxic cycle; don’t start. I’m speaking from experience on this one.
  5. Find a productive way to bide your time. Do what you wouldn’t normally do. Go out to dinner on a weeknight if time permits. Arrange music, take a dance class, write poetry, whatever floats your boat.
  6. Visit family across the state/country/world. You won’t have as much time to do so after this.
  7. Take advantage of as many accepted-student events as possible, even if you’re sure you won’t go there. This is because:
    1. 1) you can always collect more data about the school, and it may change your ultimate decision and
    2. 2) NETWORKING. NOT optional.
And lastly, thank your teachers and counselors for working so hard to help you reach your goals. Their happiness and success is your happiness and success! I wish all of you the best of luck these next few days, and who knows? I might meet some of you reading this blog next year.
Best,

Bhagee

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