Admissions Revolution

A friendly reminder that I'm hosting a Facebook Live Q&A TONIGHT at 9:30pm ET on my page >> https://bit.ly/3E0L9lY

Just post your college admissions questions in the comments section of the live video and I'll answer as many as I can! 🙌

Today is Ivy Day. All eight Ivy League institutions will release admissions decisions for the Regular Decision round. I write a new piece every year on this day. This year, I thought about not writing anything. If someone is set on attending an Ivy for college, not much will change their mind. But for those of you who don't get admitted, your mind and heart will change faster than you think.

That is the thing about rejection. You grow in ways you don't expect. Months and years later you realize how important that moment was—rejection leads to unexpected opportunity. I remember this photograph from my senior year of high school. It was taken at the end of the tennis season when I hadn’t reached my goal of playing singles. I was disappointed. And, that is why I decided to write something for today.

I think about all of my rejections, failures, and shortcomings this time of year. Every single disappointment I experienced turned into an extraordinary turn of events. My love for tennis pivoted to a love for the stage—acting in college. My “low” SAT scores allowed me to attend a college that changed my life. Dropping out of law school led to my first admissions job. Leaving my "dream job" as a Dean of Admissions inspired me to write a book. And my first failed business helped me create a successful second business.

Success is right in front of you if you are willing to look.

Ivy Day is a day to pivot away from something you wanted to something you have. Don't overlook the colleges that offered you admission, merit scholarships, or acceptance to an honors program. It doesn't matter what the name of the college is, how highly ranked it is, or what athletic conference it is a part of. We just need one opportunity. One acceptance. One person who believes in us. That person is you.

Make the most of this pivot. It is right in front of you. It is in your hands. No waiting. No judgement. Just pure acceptance.

That is what I would tell my 18 year old self. So, I’m telling you. ❤️