For the last two years, the National Honor Society has created a “Wall of Shame,” in the lobby. The club has encouraged students to post their college rejection letters on this wall. Many students chose to hang up their letters on the wall in the hopes of reassuring themselves that they are not alone.
Students had a choice to either black out their names, remaining anonymous, or keep the letter as is, fully embracing their rejection.
Both inside and outside of school, students are contantly reminded of their negative decisioins.
Bad feelings of rejection are exacerbated by social media alerts them when somebody that they know gets into college.
Nobody posts their rejections on social media, and many students end up feeling like they are the only person that isn’t celebrating.
Therefore, the purpose of this wall is to demonstrate to students that they were not alone in the college process, and that other students were going through the same emotional roller coaster.
While some students feel that it is pointless to dwell on their rejections as this only makes them feel worse, The Schreiber Times believes that the, “Wall of Shame” provides students with a much-needed support system.
It is a simple yet powerful way to give students perspective and illuminate the unpredictability of the college admissions process.
Additionally, when students learn that they are not the only one denied from a college, it makes the process feel a little less personal. The Schreiber Times also thinks the “Wall of Shame” encourages a sense of camaraderie among students, and helps to take away from feelings of competition between students.
This is important for students because the pressure placed on them by their parents, teachers, and communities does not need to be heightened by their peers.
Although some students may argue the “Wall of Shame,” adds unnecessary negativity to the college admissions process.
The Schreiber Times feels that the Wall is a necessary and valuable addition to the lobby, encouraging students to lighten up about their decisions.