Maneater

Go ahead, I'll give you time to laugh at the title.....................

Done? I'm sure you're not, but that's fine - I'll continue. The title, although slightly misleading accurately speaks to the ferocity of - drum roll please, everybody out of your seats - THE COLLEGE PROCESS. 

Quite simply put, the College Process is a Maneater. Schools like St. Paul's and Ex****, and And*****, and all those other that take after us (yea, I said it. None of the others are important...) are seemingly renowned for the manner in which they prepare students and young adults to move on to the "next level". Nah uh. What people really mean when they say this is, "Oh you want your son or daughter to "run with the Big Dogs"? Well, your child is less likely to get torn to pieces by the "Big Dogs" if he or she proves his or herself able to maneuver an intense college atmosphere with prominent success... before college." Now, that may sound brutal, but its accurate. In fact, that's just the watered down version.

Why "Maneater"? ( Now of course when I say "men" I mean Mankind. I guess I could have said People-eater, but that's not as funny.)Well, let me see if I can articulate this properly:

18 and 19 year old young adults are made to resemble 8 and 9 year old girls and boys, 

sophisticated human beings able to reason and think appear as diminutive happy meal toys, 

presented with decisions and choices (or lack thereof) many expect them to make,

the College Process comes along seeking to claim; so confidence it takes, 

and one thinks to himself, "Oh what should I do, what's next from here", 

and see that's after an Admission's Office sends that small envelope meaning "I'm sorry Dear",

Near grown men cry, mature women weep

all because they believe that their futures through that proverbial sieve seep.

And it's sad, because successful students who were captains and role models and community Leaders

are forced to bow to what I call the Maneater.

It's a shame to think - to know that I've grown close to and developed relationships with people who will experience confusion, self-doubt, regret, and grief all wrought on by the Maneater. Some of the strongest people I know have broken down or will soon do so, and who can blame them - After four years of grueling "pre-college", who wants to read the words: I'm sorry ____ but we regret to inform you...

And all of that has led me to this: You, the institution, tell us that if we "do what we're supposed to" defeating the Maneater won't be a problem; you reassure us that everybody well be fine provided you follow the rules and guidelines you set forth. That's bullshit. I know people who've exceeded your expectations, who've gone far beyond the call of duty, yet, sit idle in a heap of gnawed bones. 

If the College Process is a Maneater, You, elite boarding school, are a Manmisleader. 

Sed tam est vita

JbP