<p>for some reason my counselor wants to write about how I got a decent SAT score (and other scores) without any prep... and how that supposedly sets me apart from all the other asians in my school (my school has many competitive asians in it, who spend hours and hours each week studying/prepping for standardized tests at those test centers), because I use my time not to attend prep classes but to ... well, just do whatever i like. He wants to say that I am not caught up in the competition and whatnot ... my scores were higher than most of my peers and I guess I was just good at that kind of stuff on my own, but it seems sort of stupid to write that on an application. I bet lots of kids have 2400s without studying (mine is superscored.. I retook). Should I tell him to not write that? Or is that actually a good thing?
he didn't tell me anything else that he was planning on writing about, so I don't know what else he'll say about me. thx</p>
<p>sounds good to me that your counselor cares that much. I say let him write about whatever he wants if it distinguishes you from the rest of your peers in a positive light</p>
<p>If he wants to write about it, I think it's good. As long as you don't -- it'd be bragging. Spend some good time on your essays. best of luck to you</p>
<p>without any prep - how does he know that? because you told him?</p>
<p>did you prep at home, or open the books totally cold on test day? if you took it a couple of times, that in itself is a prep</p>
<p>to say, well she didn't take a class, eh</p>
<p>seems a stretch to make a big deal out of it</p>
<p>It's funny because it's so much a matter of context. Where we live no one takes those prep courses because they just aren't available. Sometimes I think people forget the whole world doesn't look like their own world. College admissions people must see thousands of applications from kids who never set foot in a prep class because they don't live in places like that or go to schools like that, but they still score really high. They prep themselves.</p>
<p>I agree that the counselor should write what he wants, but I also see your point about it being a weird thing to say. It sounds a little clueless about all the kids who do well on the test without those classes. I'm sure the weirdness won't attach to you, though. People reading it will just appreciate how highly the counselor thinks of you.</p>
<p>I agree with what citygirlsmom said. .... and I guess some of it is relative to the kind of school you go to.</p>
<p>Dear College, </p>
<p>Becky is a wonderful girl. Her test scores show how smart she is, and in fact didn't do a prep class to do so well.</p>
<p>I see it as a different letter"</p>
<p>Dear College: </p>
<p>This is a great student. I am impressed how well she uses her times and where she puts her priorities. She is the type of student that likes to learn for the sake of learning. In this school we have so many kids who spend many hours and money on prepping for the SAT. She didl little of that, but still managed to get a great score.</p>
<p>(and i assume he will say other good things about you....)</p>
<hr>
<p>My son also studied a bit on his own, got a 2270 and moved on. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I still think it sounds forced and like "filler" and unnecessary, and I would wonder why use up space to say that when you have one page to describe the student</p>
<p>I think the counselor meant to say that I'm different from all the other asians (most of them in my school have those "helicopter parents" and have every activity planned out for them. i think i'm more independent and relatively autodidactic).. except he just went about a really strange way of doing it. haha. I'm still not sure. He said that he woudlnt write it if I didn't want him to, but I really am unsure..... I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's forced, since now that I know what he's trying to say it does tie into who I am well, and plus, I know my gc holds me in high esteem. </p>
<p>(i just want to make sure that shows on the application/rec)</p>
<p>oh yea, and he knows because in our school we go through guidance to get the prep courses and stuff. well most of us do anyway.</p>
<p>This goes without saying if the applicant is busy enough with challenging extracurricular activities.</p>
<p>It's not important to mention why you didn't take any prep courses.
Seriously, your 2350 SAT 1 is what, 50 points from a 2400?</p>
<p>Your extracurriculars, essays, and other things will be the deciding factor.</p>
<p>Reading one of your older threads, I'm assuming you go to an elite private school, so in the end, I don't think it really matters.</p>
<p>I do not go to an elite private school... I go to a public school. and it isn't magnet, either...</p>
<p>yeah okay so i'll just say that he shouldn't write something like that. thanks for your help</p>