I missed an “A” by two points in Spanish, but my teacher refused to raise it.
Our neighbor got into Amherst, but it’s because his dad is an alumn.
I wasn’t named starting catcher on softball team because of politics.
I got a “C” in AP Euro, but it’s because my counselor wouldn’t let me drop it.
My friend at a different high school has a higher class rank, but her school is much easier than mine.
Other kids who got into Stanford had lower SAT scores than I did, so I’m appealing the rejection.
My English teacher only writes thirty letters of rec per year and claims I didn’t ask early enough.
I don’t get paid for the work I do at the daycare center, but my school won’t count it for my community service hours.
I shouldn’t have gotten suspended—it’s not like I was the only kid doing it.
The teacher plays favorites. That’s why I didn’t get an A.
Are you getting annoyed? Whining and complaining tends to get old fast. That’s why successful college applicants and the parents who support them don’t spend a lot of time moaning about all the ways they feel betrayed by the process. They’re too excited about their college opportunities to turn the whole process into a score-keeping status competition.
If you’re feeling angry, frustrated, or cynical about the college admissions process, pay attention to how much time you spend complaining. A change in attitude can work wonders.