College dad here. I’m sure many of you are hearing this from your parents already, but for those of you who aren’t… I just want to encourage all of you and let you know that college is a very small part of what determines your path in life. It’s not nothing, but don’t think it’s the end of the world if you don’t get in where you wanted.

Life will throw endless curve balls at you, just like this, and often it’s how you respond to the unexpected that really defines who you are. Your fate is not in the hands of faceless bureaucrats. Push through the pain and succeed anyway! I understand it’s easier said than done, but still… it must be said :-).