I don’t actually have a question but some thoughts I wanted to pose to everybody. Over spring break I went to visit very selective schools in the northeast, and began to think about applying to those places. What I don’t fully grasp is the notion that I will be able to succeed at those colleges. I know admissions officers admit you because they think you can handle the workload at that school, but I can’t help but think: if I’m getting stressed out about homework in my junior year of high school, what makes me think that I’ll be able to handle the workload at Harvard. Now I’m in the full IB Diploma Program and I have good grades (~3.9 UW GPA) so in theory, I should be able to handle the workload at these elite institutions. I’m just conflicted as to whether I should apply to some reach schools or not. I mean what if I get there and drop out because it’s too difficult? What if I suddenly lose my work ethic? Are these just risks I have to be willing to take? I guess my question is, if I get stressed out now about school work, extracurriculars, etc. won’t the same things happen in college?
It really is something you must decide. I am also a junior and while my coursework isn’t as intense(1 AP, 1 college level) and my list isn’t as selective, I have the same fears. PM if you want to talk.
There are 3,000+ colleges in the United States; MANY – beside the top 50 (or so) LACs and the additional top 50 (or so) National Research Universities – are highly respected and have enduring records of admirably preparing students for every professions and every postgraduate/professional school. Not every one should attend a highly- or most-selective institutions, and the reasons for this are varied, specifically including stresses and competition. For the vast majority of individuals, in life’s long run attending a Dartmouth, a Delaware, or a Denver will make little difference.
If your succeeding at that level in high school, you will must likely succeed in college (even at top schools). This seems like an irrational fear. If the college accepts you, then they feel that you are good enough for them and can handle the school.
If you are starting to think now that you may be burned out by the end of your senior year, consider taking a gap year to refresh your energies before starting college.
SternBusiness- some people have irrational fears. They are real fears. OP cant control it and despite predicted success probably still will worry and that is okay.
OP, I’m at the (decently selective) honors college at my state flagship. I had the same fears even just coming here. But I survived first semester (with a 4.0! In engineering!) and I’m on track to survive this one too. You have proven your intelligence, drive, and work ethic throughout high school; it won’t just dissipate when you move to college. It may be more difficult, but you will surely rise to the challenge. Good luck. Even if you don’t have much faith in yourself, I guarantee the people around you see your capability and have faith in you.
I think it’s important to consider your stress and comfort level. Only you know if the stress of being in a highly competitive environment would be navigable or would paralyze you. But you don’t have to decide yet…unless you do ED, you really don’t have to decide till March next year
As far as top high school students who earn straight As, it seems the ones who do have trouble are the ones who think they can continue their current study habits in college…if you refuse to adapt you will fail. Be prepared to learn a new way of doing things and you’ll be fine. And just because you had straight As in college does not mean you will do the same in college.
We have a friend who graduated from Stanford a few years back. She told my S (also in IB) that IB felt harder than college. Don’t take that the wrong way – obviously she didn’t mean “Stanford was so easy” – but IB can be a real grind, you’re still more or less new to that level of work (because you’re still in high school and everyone is new to it), and there’s college admission anxiety on top of it. In college, no matter where you go, you will have fewer courses per semester than IB full diploma. You’ll have control over how you balance your schedule between harder and easier courses. And you will never feel in college that ECs are somehow required. (Too much work? Just drop one or all of them for a semester. Nobody is going to tell you “ooooh, too few ECs for your future.”) It will be different, and you may have a preference for a more relaxed college environment, but no matter where you go, it’s not going to feel like “IB Diploma Squared.”
Because Harvard is probably not as hard as your HS. Many students have come back to our HS and said that it was much harder than Harvard. Generally speaking, top American high schools give their students too much work. A place like Harvard may give you more difficult work conceptually, but less of it because you will be taking 4 courses not 6.
I’m going to be very real for a minute here…
Harvard’s grade inflation (along with the grade inflation of many Ivies) is tremendous. It’s borderline insane. If you have a 3.9 and you’re doing a serious IB program, you’ll be fine if you’re actually accepted. These hyper-competitive schools wouldn’t admit you if they didn’t think you could do well.
I agree with the last 2 posts. Harvard, while it is a stretch to get in to, is probably not more difficult than your current school. I talked to students there who said they make it hard for you to fail. Chances of getting in are slim. For anybody.
