The Rejection Wall is a Coping Mechanism for Menlo Seniors

by JAKE LIEBERMAN

For seniors, autumn means putting in months of non-stop effort into college applications. From stressing over supplemental essays, to worrying about who else is applying to your colleges, to community could be more welcoming and inclusive.

One way to openly acknowledge our rejections is to put them out in the open, broadcasting them on the rejection wall — an anonymous board of students who elect to post their rejection letters from colleges. It would be completely optional

Living in Silicon Valley and attending such a prestigious school, the rejection wall would provide an opportunity for students to reduce stress. According to Niche Education, Menlo ranks 22 out of 401 for Best Private Schools in California and 12 out of 1,124 Best High Schools for STEM in California, which inevitably adds to the pressure. Additionally, Atherton ranks as the number one richest town in the U.S., according to a study conducted by Veranda earlier this year. Why do these statistics matter? Menlo perpetuates these levels of stress and anxiety so much for students. Expectations are so exceedingly high and in parts unrealistic, too. Students are in the epicenter of this melting pot. maintaining your GPA, the process feels never-ending. Come spring, we tear open our letters, praying for an acceptance, even a waitlist; unfortunately, from many of the top schools, all we get back is a rejection. This rejection brings on a new wave of emotions, particularly the belief that you might not be good enough, especially compared to your friends or peers. The reality is, normalizing the rejection process regarding college and up to each student to decide if they want to participate. Each student would have the decision to put any rejection letter on the wall, whether that’s just one rejection letter or all of them. Although the rejection wall has faced controversy in the past, it could be changed to ensure a reduction in students’ stress. admissions will be beneficial and allow students to reduce stress.

The rejection wall wouldn’t be a place of shame; it would be a place for students to understand that it’s perfectly fine to get rejected from a university, or even a few. Not only does it help students cope with rejections from schools, but it can provide an opportunity for students to learn how to deal with adversity in future situations. Down the road, there’s inevitably going to be a time when one is going to deal with challenges and have to find a way to persevere.

A rejection wall at Menlo is something that the school should incorporate in the coming years. This practice could add a palpable way for students to cope with getting a result they never wanted to hear.

It is common to shy away from sharing failure, embarrassment and rejection. But if we openly acknowledge rejection, as hard as that may be, our

The rejection wall would be a safe spot for students. The terms “loser,” “idiot” and “moron” might be ringing through one’s mind when they receive the email from their dream college only to see they haven’t been admitted. But what they don’t know or don’t realize is that they are not alone; other students are experiencing the same thing. Immediately, a sense of commonality would become apparent with the rejection wall. Instead of isolating yourself and hiding your rejections, you could find comfort in others who feel similar, knowing that everyone faces rejection and no one is perfect.

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November 17, 2022