But he did not understand the price. Mortals never do. They only see the prize, their hearts desire, their dreams… But the price of getting what you want, is getting what you once wanted.
Neil Gaiman, The Sandman, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
So the results for the regular decision round have been released, and some have rejoiced while others did not, as an article in yesterday’s Times reports. (The headline “For Girls, It’s Be Yourself, and Be Perfect, too” is very irritating, as if it’s somehow any different for guys) I had advised one of the girls I met at APEC Korea on her college applications, and she did get in, though it is likely not to be to my credit at all. Yet she seems reticent to come to what is clearly not her first choice. I know others who had applied, and had their hearts set on the idea of coming here, yet were not accepted – perhaps they should have asked for my advice, or perhaps not – some factors simply cannot be changed within that timeframe. It could well be a simple case of sample bias, where people who care more about their college applications, and thus more likely to be stronger candidates, are also more likely to seek advice than others who don’t care enough to, which says more about the individual than about the quality of my advice. I had written earlier on college admissions strategy, but did not focus on the actual decision to choose a particular school. Here is some advice for everyone regardless of their admissions offers, from someone who learned the hard way.
