Overcoming the disappointment of the 'thin envelope'

Receiving a college rejection letter can be devastating to hopeful high school students, but plummeting acceptance rates and tough competition in the college market suggests that the thin envelopes are becoming more common. How can parents and teens keep their sanity in this high-stakes atmosphere? A lot of it is luck of the draw, according to Laurence Steinberg, professor of psychology at Temple. "Understanding that, especially for top schools, it's always going to be a long shot, may help you prepare a little for the disappointment of a possible rejection," he said.
April 1, 2011 | ABC News