The on-campus job I wanted most while I was in college was to become one of five annual coordinators for the summer orientation program for new students. When I applied during my junior year and didn’t get the job, I spent a lot of time thinking about what I could do to be a better candidate the following year. Most of what I identified involved doing other jobs or activities that would help me learn, demonstrate what I could do, and allow me to work closely with potential mentors who could serve as references.

But as I was deciding between those new ventures, I kept asking myself one question—would you still be glad you did this if you got turned down again for the dream job next year?

It wasn’t wisdom so much as it was 21-year-old self-preservation. No matter what I did or how well I did it, there were no guarantees I’d ever get hired as an orientation coordinator. I didn’t want to risk looking back with regret about how I’d chosen to spend my time.

A lot of students today plan their high school careers based on what they think will help them get admitted to one dream college. There’s nothing wrong with being focused or goal-oriented. But like my summer orientation dream job, you don’t ultimately get to decide whether or not your dream school says yes. Making decisions based only on what you hope will please them is a risky strategy.

Before you join that new club or take that summer school class or sign up for that volunteer opportunity, it’s worth asking yourself: if you didn’t get admitted to your dream school, would you still be happy you did this?

If not, you might be giving that dream college too much power considering they’ve yet to give you anything in return. Whenever possible, make choices that leave you smarter, happier, wiser, stronger, etc. no matter what the admissions outcome. That way you get your benefit whether or not you get the admissions answer you’re hoping for.

I applied again the next year and got that dream job. But even if I hadn’t, at least I could have looked back on that junior year with no regrets.