Dear all,
The college acceptance race is absolutely a crazy and nerve-wracking experience for most people, especially to those on this forum.
Through my time on CC, I have came to see just how strong the applicant pool is, understood how nerve wracking the process is, and also shared my experience and advice to those who I might help. Now, nearing the end of my application process, I would like to share some words of reflect.
Like lots of people chasing ivys, I grew up in a well off family that was able to provide me with the social and financial care needed for me to receive a good education.
I have seen quite a lot of venting threads on how a person or his or her prosperity did not get into the dream college, despite being very qualified. I will not and cannot argue that the students or parents that vented were not justified to feel angry, sad or betrayed; it is truly heart-wrenching when the institution that you have been working so dearly for in the last dozen years rejected you. I feel for you dearly–as I have been rejected to quite a few places I had poured my heart into.
However, I would like to take a moment to reflect and appreciate just how blessed we are. As prospects to great universities, our road ahead is already so much easier than those that do not have the same privilege. In fact, if one is in the bottom 25% percentile of income, one only has a 8% chance of going to college. If you are in the top 25%, you have a 78% chance of going to college. That is a devastating and scary statistic. And it really goes a long way in showing just lucky we truly are. So no matter what happens in the end, just know that there are thousands of hundreds of kids just as bright and gifted never get the chance of going to college because of domestic, health and most majorly, financial issues.
So today I would like to advocate awareness for the education gap and the challenges society faces. I would also like all of us to take a second and realize how lucky we truly are. No matter the final outcome of this selection process, I am sure each and all of you will go one to do amazing things.
Thanks so much for the support, advice and help.
Best of luck to all of you,
Darude