It is that time of year – application fever is sweeping high schools around the country.  After a summer of touring college campuses, drafting the all-important College Essay, and studying for the SATs, high school seniors are starting out on that often painful rite-of-passage, the college application process.  College counselors advise students to apply to a range of safe, sure and reach schools, and assure nervous applicants and their equally nervous parents that there is a school for everyone.  But nothing really prepares students for getting that all-too-slim letter of rejection from their first-choice school.  If the school of your dreams says no, is there anything you can do?  Yes, say some college advisers.

First of all, even if you get rejected, read the letter carefully – it might include some clues to getting a second chance at your school of choice.  Is it a ‘hard’ rejection?  Or is there a glimmer of hope?  Large universities tend to mail out ‘form’ rejection letters, however smaller schools often send more personal letters.  Read these communications carefully – is the language a definite ‘no’, or are there seeds of hope tucked in?

Some schools accept appeals, others don’t.  Very selective colleges and universities who have a high volume of applicants usually aren’t receptive to appeals and often say so right in their letters of rejection.  However, even though many schools don’t officially state they have an appeals process, admission committees will entertain applicants.  Consult with your college adviser to see if there is additional information that could help make a case for the committee to reverse their decision.  A word of caution:  appeals from parents, friends of the family or alumni are not nearly as effective as ones that come directly from the student.

Some schools recommend that students begin their college careers at another school and then consider transferring, usually at the end of the second year of college.  A number of these schools offer to give rejected students advice on course work and other activities that can enhance their transfer potential.  Hamilton College in Clinton, NY even offers to wave application fees for students who re-apply within a two-year window.

Rejected applicants with a legacy connection to a college or university may find their letters of rejection are ‘softer’ and may even open the door to placement on a wait list.

But even if you can’t find a way to open the door to the school of your choice, remember the old adage that when ‘one door closes, another opens.’  Your college experience is all about what you put into the process.  Colleges and universities are filled with thriving and happy students who wanted to go someplace else.  So if you get one of those infamous ‘skinny’ letters from the school of your choice, remember you’ve got options.  That ‘no’ has the potential to put you on an unexpected and very positive path.