<p>Disclaimer: This is really just me having a random thought. There's no point to this thread and no response is necessary</p>
<p>When I first came to college confidential as a small and innocent freshman youth, I spent the majority of my time on the Chancing forum (until I discovered the other lovely components of this website).</p>
<p>I remember being totally shocked and amazed at the people who were getting into top schools. Their credentials totally wow'd me and what they did really helped me carve a path for my high school career, though I was positive that I wasn't smart enough or special enough to do/achieve what some of the HYPMS acceptees had. It was like I regarded them as gods of some sort.</p>
<p>But now I'm a senior applying to colleges and I look at these threads from a totally different prospective. I'm not quite sure what is different, but it's strange that so much has changed in the way I look at things from ninth grade to now. I guess I just realized that anything is possible if you put your best efforts towards achieving it. </p>
<p>I have no doubt that I'll be accepted to at least one of the top schools this year and that is something I NEVER thought I would be able to say three years ago. </p>
<p>With that said, for all of your freshman/sophomore or even juniors, don't feel discouraged by the people on this site, instead use what you find here as a resource. Don't regard the posters as greater than they really are. Realize that they are kids who passionate about what they do and that you can do the same. Realize that if you work hard, you'll be happy come decisions time (whenever that may be for you).</p>