<p>Hey- so I am stuck here at home, no job opportunities outside of the family farm, the adults have the town jobs again.</p>
<p>Meanwhile my best friend is being signed up for more then half a dozen trips to volunteer in exotic places, spend a a week or two here and there at different elite schools getting science lab time in. I can't say I totally understand it but her parents are funding a coast to coast and international resume' building summer. I can't compete with that. Otherwise we have nearly identical stats. She hasn't been much of a summer anything kid before. Didn't need to work. I worked for my parents on their little truck farm. </p>
<p>I admit to being a bit envious. I would like to see something outside of my hometown. But we don't have the means or the connections. </p>
<p>We always planned on applying to the same schools. It seemed so easy and innocent. Now I feel the tension. Her parents are serious about wanting her into only the best schools and I frankly feel left behind. </p>
<p>My friend has said her consultant advised her folks that this was the way to go. Keep the dates and time frames vague so the schools can assume she has been doing this stuff all the while. </p>
<p>Will schools like Harvard and Stanford, MIT and Smith be wowed? I just want my normal friend back. I wanted this to be our time to try to get to the same schools together. It has turned into something way different.</p>
<p>It isn’t what you do - it’s what you make of it.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree that your friend is very, very lucky. I am envious too, lol. Not every family can afford an experience like that, and I’m sure it will help her in the admissions process. On the other hand, even if you don’t tutor orphans in Eritrea, it wouldn’t hurt to make use of the free time. Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn? A language, perhaps? Or you want to try a different sport. Or maybe you want to learn underwater basket weaving. It doesn’t matter! Colleges will see that even though you don’t have the same opportunities as your friend, you’ve made the most of your time, and that’s all they can ask. It’s the same concept as with APs - even if you only took 1, if it’s the only one your school offers, it will be counted highly. Now I’m not saying it doesn’t help to have an international experience, but you can also have a perfectly sound - but different - application without it. I have read fantastic essays about a totally unassuming job at McDonald’s. It all depends on what you do with what you have, and what you gain in experience and as a person from it.</p>
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They will not be wowed. It’s always a bit disconcerting when applicants begin jumping through hoops senior year/summer before. What colleges want to see is depth- activities that the student has been committed to for years, invested serious time in, and made accomplishments in. Colleges won’t be fooled into thinking she’s been doing it for years, unless she lies of course.</p>
<p>That all being said, this stuff is still certainly beneficial to her profile, particularly any lab work, and will give her a better chance than you at colleges where you stats make you only an average applicant.</p>
<p>Be prepared to separate with your friend. Going to the same college is a dream almost all best friendships share and it works out for few. The good news is, in college, you’re going to meet some of the most amazing people in your life and find new best friends.</p>
<p>I already feel separated. Her parents used to be friendly and I get the feeling they see me not as their daughter’s friend but as competition. It’s such a drag. I actually have a cousin who had the same best friend dream. My cousin’s Dad is an oncologist and the family could send her wherever she got in to, her best friend wasn’t in the same position. The two friends had a dream school (not Stanford) and they both applied. They both got in but my cousin’s friend couldn’t afford it. They ended up both attending the flagship state school they also both got into. They are my heroes for friendship.</p>
<p>I am doing things besides working the farm. I am self learning a language as a matter of fact, been doing it for 3 years. One my school doesn’t offer, just 'cause I like the sounds of the language. My summer isn’t a waste. I am simply surprised and disappointed at the sudden change in my friendship world.
This college applying thing was supposed to be exciting and fun.</p>
<p>“I worked for my parents on their little truck farm.”
I don’t think this will be any less impressive. first of all, colleges will see both your and your friend’s income bracket. not to mention that there are quite a few who go on these trips. adcoms can often tell that it’s just to get into college (not necessarily genuine). your working on the farm is still an good EC.
colleges will see you in the context of your background. sure you’re jealous; most would be. but in terms of college admissions, I wouldn’t worry that much.</p>