My Alma Mater Deferred My Daughter. Then I Made a Mistake I Regret
When I heard about the students who did get in early, I became furious. There were things I knew I shouldn't do, yet I couldn't help myself.
Allison, my daughter, expressed her deep desire to attend Northwestern University. She had visited the school in 2021, the summer before her senior year, and was eager to return. Northwestern was proud of her, reminding her that they had previously found her qualifications strong enough to accept her. She understood that gaining admission was competitive, but she was confident in her abilities.
Despite being told numerous times that obtaining admission was unlikely, Allison remained hopeful. Though I had advised her to manage expectations, I failed to manage my own expectations. I expected her to get into Northwestern, as my husband and I both attended the school and many other family members had connections there. Growing up, my husband's devotion to Northwestern's athletic teams inspired my daughter.
When I heard that others were gaining admission, I became envious and frustrated. I sought answers, contacting alumni offices and experts, hoping to find ways to change the outcome. However, upon speaking with Allison, I realized my mistake. I had been acting out of envy, comparing my daughter to her peers and focusing on my own status as a parent rather than cherishing the present moment with her.
In the end, Allison chose to attend the University of Michigan, where she found happiness and success.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
