Here’s an exercise for students (and for parents, too, who want to play).  Pretend that the entire college and university system in the United States just collectively went bankrupt.  Every school, from Harvard to Haverford, Princeton to Providence, Dartmouth to Dickinson is shutting their doors.  No college for you (or for your kid).

No moving into a dorm, meeting new people or finding your major.  No football games.  No internships.  No study abroad.  No jumpstart to your career.  No chance to meet your future husband or wife on campus.  Nothing. 

For parents, no dropping your kid off at college, no parent versions of the college sweatshirts, no chance to watch her walk across the stage at graduation, and no college advantages to take with her throughout her life. 

Would you be disappointed?  Make a list of the reasons why.  How will your life without college be different?  What will you miss out on for the next four years, and for your life after what would have been college?  Make a list (a mental list is fine) of all the things you’d lose if this happened.  Anything from “I’ll never become a doctor” to “I’ll never stay up late talking with my new friends in the dorms” is fair game.

Now, review your list.  How many of the items you listed can only be fulfilled by a prestigious college or university?

Be thankful for what you have—over 2,000 four-year colleges from which to choose, with the average school accepting 2/3 of their applicants.  You’re going to college.  You’re going to have the chance to do everything you mentioned on your list.  The only question is where you’ll be doing it.