<p>Reading these posts makes me feel like I'm about to throw up.
I have a 3.35 and I got a 1710 on the SATs. I'm a smart girl who works hard and I want to have a fulfilling, exciting life. I want to join the Peace Corps and go to a school far away from my hometown. </p>
<p>But all of you neurotic, 4.0, 2350-getters need to pause and read what I have to say.
Just because I'm not a perfect student, doesn't mean I'm not a beautiful soul. Life is more than grades and numbers. Your whole life is one big rat race, especially when you start the madness so young. I'm young; I want to be young. I got a D in Math this year. But as I reflect on this year, this junior year, I was happy in so many different ways. I fell in love, I drank beer, I drove with the windows rolled down, I snuck out, I lived my life. While you were obsessively studying, competing, and playing this game, I was being a kid. And guess what? I'm going to get into a good school for ME. Not HYP, you little idiots, this is the real world. Your Ivy degrees won't mean you're not working in Starbucks and living in a crap apartment somewhere. They mean nothing in the end. </p>
<p>So maybe, talk to someone about something other than college admissions. See what people have to say, ask questions. Take risks and have adventures. Don't be some ambitious freak who spends their youth attempting to cram SAT vocab into their overstretched brains. Live a little.</p>
<p>I understand what you’re saying to a certain extent, but you’re being a bit extreme. and alot of people can debate with you that your way isn’t the best nor the happiest way to live.</p>
<p>Although i’m not your typical, super genius, cc user, I still care very much about my future and where i go to school. College is my way to get out of this suffocatingly small, close-minded town that i’ve grown up in. So yeah, it’s real great that your life is fantastic and everything, but your post is obnoxious. Have fun drinking beer and living life with that d in math! I’ll just focus on living life WHILE receiving a great education.</p>
<p>Everyone has their own perspectives of happiness. Academics isnt everything but there is a Korean saying “Academics is not everything. But what are you if you cannot do well on what is not everything?”.</p>
<p>Academics is something that reflects how hard you tried at given resource & environment</p>
<p>Of coruse, IVY degree doesnt mean success and happiness… But they are things that can lead to success and happiness…</p>
<p>You are asking people to view things differently… but I think its paradox… because you are now defining the world as you see. </p>
<p>Im honestly not a good academic student but I try to do better at academics… and sometimes my happiness comes from that. I play sports, travel around the world, and meet different people. </p>
<p>Everyone has different perspective so why dont you respect them first if you want their respect?</p>
<p>Like kat1234 said, it is possible to enjoy your life, take risks, AND be productive.
Do you get satisfaction from being lazy? (not suggesting that you are)
I personally feel my best when I know I worked to my full potential and get according results in return. I can’t speak for everyone, but most people here work hard because they are dedicated to their future and being the best they can be.</p>
<p>^i agree, I want to find a good balance
But good for you for not being one of those (as you put it) neurotic 4.0/5.0 2400/36 overachievers, and actually living your life. I respect that because unfortunately I am probably going to try to be said overachievers. Well, I mean maybe not 4.0, or a 2400 (not that smart) but you know what I mean :D</p>
<p>It’s possible to get the grades and enjoy life. Its possible to excel in ECs and party to your hearts content. But simple trying creates more opportunities for yourself.</p>
<p>She has a point, TO A DEGREE. But guess what honey, i have a 4.0, am ranked #1, and got a 34 ACT and this year I snuck out, drank beer, I drove with the windows down, and lived my life just like you did. I don’t feel like school rules my life at all; I like school and it’s a big part of my life, but no I wouldn’t have died if I got a B. And I wasn’t expecting anywhere near a 34 on my ACT. I completely agree that an IVY degree means NOTHING. its what you do with it. I’m not applying probably to any ivies, maybe 1 or 2 of the low ones, half because I probably couldn’t get in and half because I want to have fun and live my life. WE never said that not going to an ivy is bad. I know people that are very successful that went to low level state schools. You will be fine and so will we.</p>
<p>^ if academics are not everything, then what about what is everything? Academics are not everything, but in truth do you focus on and succeed in the rest?</p>
<p>@OP, I really think it depends on the person. I would be the most uptight party-er slash girlfriend person on the planet. Whenever I am around especially rowdy people I am the one who wants to throw up and hide in the nearest closet.</p>
<p>But I do manage to get enjoyment out of school. Math is probably my favorite subject, since I can make everything organized logical- something that real life doesn’t always have.</p>
<p>I do agree with you though. When I see a person with a 2200+ SAT and 4.0 GPA I can’t help but wonder they need to post their stats and have it confirmed they have a chance at an ivy league. Probably some do need to take a step back from the computer and organize their lives and live, but other ones of us maybe are quite happy cramming those SAT words and seeing the most entertaining sentence we can make with them. I do have a life as well, but sometimes it is reassuring and relaxing to study and not have to interact with people.</p>
<p>I hope that didn’t sound too loser-ish and antisocial right there. Joining the peace corps is really admirable as well- it seems fun to travel and see the world while being to make a difference. And you will get into a good school.</p>
<p>As a parent… and MUCH older than you… I have a different perspective…</p>
<p>I have lived a little and have seen some things… that stem from drinking beer and sneaking out! Even today we see the harsh realities that result from this type of behavior! I won’t go into the gorey details…but please don’t sit on your high horse of judegement… most of the “cool people” that I went to school with haven’t done so well in life… they were the one’s who laughed at the “serious” students… the “neurotic nerds” are now pharmacists, hs principals, cardiologists, chemical engineers, attorneys, judges, etc…</p>
<p>I live in New Haven and have come into contact with more Yale students/alumni than I care to count(I would definitely be showing my age) and they are some pretty cool people… who will… at the end of their 4 years… go off to do some pretty fantastic things in life… and be able to go anywhere… b/c of the name(and b/c of a stellar education)… and though I am not a prestige hound… believe you me… Yale goes a very long way in the world… trust me… I have seen that as well in my own profession!!! I am in no way saying that one should attend Yale for the name… but an added benefit is that you get attention… it gives you carte blanche. And I am sure many of you will squawk @ this… but remember, this has been MY experience!</p>
<p>Many Yale grads decide to stay here in this city, for many reasons… and I have had the pleasure of visiting their homes… and not one has EVER been crap…and I know crap when I see it!</p>
<p>I wonder why you are so cynica/angry at such a young age… are you like this @ home and @ school with your peers? You say you have a beautiful soul… really? Your post lacked beauty/kindness & grace…</p>
<p>I also wonder if YOU had your sights set on an ivy… but b/c of your D in math, you now are angry and want to lash out at the world! No matter how frustrated and hurt you feel… it doesn’t give you a right to verbally abuse those who take their education seriously! It is never cool to put someone down for pushing for more in life! </p>
<p>Please tread lightly with the sneaking out/underage drinking… there will be only a few times that you can get away with it unscathed!</p>
<p>I felt the same way until I realized everybody will never unanimously agree to chill out and take it easy, there will always be people willing to work hard.</p>
<p>I think there are certainly problems with the high school/college admission process. 90% of them can be blamed on the band of crooked thieves at CEEB. I think about that organization and I get angry every single time. But that’s another, mostly unrelated, topic.</p>
<p>I think for the people who get “4.0s and 2300+” on their SATs get a sense of purpose and achievement in life by doing so. It’s the same as those people who want to have “fun”. Everyone’s different, so we should just respect each other.</p>
<p>Well said Franzferdinand, I would completely agree. Just the fact that you work hard, doesn’t automatically make you “obsessed”. In fact, a lot of people work hard in high school knowing that their work will pay off later in life and that they can relax then. What you’re saying is based off of the want/desire for immediate satisfaction. Why not just try hard, have no regrets, and have a rewarding future?</p>