Although Crew Dog is primarily tailored to students who are currently in college, how can we not think about the millions of high schoolers opening their regular decision letters over the past few weeks?
We saw a frenzy of excitement here at Yale after its decisions came out last Thursday on Ivy Day. Other top schools like MIT, Stanford, and the University of Chicago have all released their letters as well. This time of year is always a cacophony of reactions: some students celebrate admission to their dream school while others don’t get the results they hoped for.
Schools are increasingly competitive, and with that comes a greater range of schools students apply to. It’s not uncommon to submit 20 applications nowadays. The trend of lower acceptance rates creates an even greater air of exclusivity, branding many schools as all the more elite. This causes driven students and concerned parents to employ consulting services to ensure the best odds at a top school. College consulting firms have taken the game to new extremes: Ivy Wise begins offering programming to kindergarteners, and Command Education mentors the wealthiest families in the world — for an annual fee of $120,000.
To many high schoolers, it feels as if getting to college is the most important undertaking of their lives. But at Crew Dog, we see college not just as a name on a sweatshirt but as a community where students will spend some of the most formative years of their lives. The mascots featured on our clothing represent the college’s culture and tradition that have a much greater impact on a student’s life and ability to succeed than a school’s name alone. The immense pressure to be accepted by a top school overshadows the reality that it is much more important what students do once they arrive there. Students should aim high, but know that getting into a selective school isn’t the end goal.
For those who were just accepted into their dream school, enjoy this moment. It’s an unparalleled feeling, and the next several months will be filled with the buzz of connecting with future classmates, attending admitted student events, and envisioning life on campus. For those who didn’t get the results they wanted, it’s okay to be upset, but not okay to squander the opportunity to attend a school that wasn’t as high on your list. Every school offers a special experience, and you have the agency to create the four years you desire. Maybe you’ll join a club sports team, find your voice on the collegiate paper, or take a class in a subject you don’t usually gravitate towards, and end up loving it. You’ll also find that schools have programs dedicated to student autonomy. Take Northeastern’s co-op program, providing undergrads with the opportunity to get real world experience while in college. Or Experimental College at Tufts, allowing for student-driven academics that transcend the traditional college classroom.
As high school seniors begin to look ahead to their collegiate lives, Crew Dog is here to outfit you for the fall and beyond. Whether you sport one of our “Class of 2029” hoodies or a fall-themed t-shirt, we’re honored to be part of this milestone.
