The Journey of University Applications: A Personal Reflection

My university application journey in the 1970s was a unique experience, marked by both excitement and a fair share of challenges. When I was in college prep school, we were advised to apply to no more than five or six schools, with four seeming plenty to me. Little did I know that my aspirations would lead me to a plethora of prestigious institutions, including Yale, Princeton, and the University of Virginia (UVA).

Early Encouragement and Rejection

In the 1970s, the college prep school I attended did not heavily encourage students to apply to more than a handful of schools. Four seemed sufficient to me, yet fate had other plans. I was thrilled to gain acceptance into my top choice, Yale University. I also got into Princeton and UVA during that time. However, my acceptance to the University of Virginia was marred by a twist. I was a legacy and my application was waitlisted. This ironic situation left me reflecting on the often unpredictable nature of the application process.

Harvard's Early Admission and Sacrifice

My application list wasn't confined to just those three institutions. I also applied to Harvard, Amherst, and Williams, with plans to apply to others as well. When I received an early admission offer from Harvard, my classmate’s delegation asked me to withdraw my other applications. Reluctantly, I complied, choosing Harvard based on its excellent reputation and location in lovely Boston. The experience of living near Harvard and having that direct access to the university was both thrilling and rewarding.

A Obsessive Decision

For both my bachelor’s and law degrees, I applied to Harvard, Yale, and New York University (NYU). I was ultimately accepted by all three institutions, but my final decision was NYU. The reason behind this choice stemmed from my desire to establish a personal storefront law practice. If I had been considering a corporate or political career, I would have definitely chosen Harvard, perhaps Harvard over Yale due to the picturesque Boston and its proximity to Cape Cod for study breaks. Imagine studying the Rule Against Perpetuities on the sunlit beaches of Provincetown, and you would understand the allure of such an environment.

International Admissions: The UK Experience

My journey did not end there; I ventured overseas to the United Kingdom, where the application process was fundamentally different. In the UK, you have the luxury of selecting five choices. I initially considered Oxford, St Andrews, University College London, one institution I've forgotten, and a safety choice, Hull. I opted to sit the Oxford entrance examination, bypassing the traditional interview and A-level system.

To my surprise, I passed the Oxford entrance examination and received a 2Es offer. My application to St Andrews, Hull, and the other university garnered high but achievable offers. University College London, however, wanted extensive essays as part of my application. Given the timeline, I decided not to submit these, fearing that my Oxford entrance examination results might jeopardize my place. Unfortunately, when UCL did not offer me a place, I recall feeling deeply hurt. Reflecting on this, I couldn't help but think, 'If I feel like this in such circumstances, how must people who get rejected from universities they applied to feel?' This realization underscored the emotional stakes involved in the application process.

Conclusion

My journey in university applications was a series of choices and opportunities, each with its own set of challenges and rewards. Whether it was the prestigious institutions in the United States or the esteemed universities in the United Kingdom, these experiences have undoubtedly shaped my academic and professional life. Each application, acceptance, and rejection has been a step towards my goals and dreams.