<p>I remembered that girl's name.. it's Liu Yiting. (see here: TIME</a> Asia: How Harvard Came Calling)</p>
<p>Barkoski, the OP is coming straight from China, so it doesn't mater how much people from US boarding schools they accept.</p>
<p>It does no harm to apply to your "dream school" and you do have some chance of admission.</p>
<p>You need good second choices. Suggestions; Duke, Swarthmore, Vanderbilt, Washington University in St. Louis, Williams, Emory, University of Chicago.</p>
<p>Safties might include many major state universities outside California, Colgate, Rensselaer.</p>
<p>@Jiess, that article really makes me appreciate the dim chance (otherwise non-existent) I have for acceptance since I am an American! OP, don't worry! Perhaps you are one of the top 1-3 applicants from China, and if you get in, its all the more extraordinary of an achievement!</p>
<p>"While my friends went to Disneyland over vacation, I would always go to exotic countries with my family, in order to observe the natural beauties of other cultures and environments and learn from these experiences."</p>
<p>That means nothing to admissions officers; all it demonstrates is that you come from a family that has the means to travel the world. You don't get any extra point for having wealthy, adventurous parents.</p>
<p>And as much as I respect your achievements and life experiences, I must say that I am not liking this "holier-than-thou" attitude. Your travels should have taught you not all peoples have the luxury of learning for the sake of learning. In many developing countries, parents and pupils view education as an economic input. You probably would, too, if you were surrounded by examples of the potential-numbing effects of poverty.</p>
<p>First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their constructive replies. I had initially posted on this thread ready to hear some criticism and I thank most of you for providing me with you insight.</p>
<p>I had told this to jamescchen and i'd like to tell this to you all:
I truly apologize if I had upset or angered you in any way; looking back at my post, I clearly see that I had posted material that could have offended others, and more importantly, inaccurately expressed my opinion. Let's just clear the air on a several points. I did NOT post with the intention of criticizing the students around me. What I just wanted to note on was the difference of two countries, most notably the difference of the educational systems. I have no problem with who they are and who I am; they are just mere observations I have made, in contrast to what I have seen or grown to be accustomed to in the states. </p>
<p>From what I believe, you've portrayed myself as an arrogant, rude, intolerant, and even rich, person who is unable to accept the differences of two cultures. I just want to say that what I truly am, is someone who has grown to love these people, befriend them, and truly admire them for who they are; the reason why I used those expressions was to give an idea of how different they are from students in America (and I am NOT saying that American students don't work hard either). Listen, if there's one thing I've learned here, it's to observe and respect the goods and bads of different cultures and accept them as a whole, and in creating my own identity, take what i believe is best. </p>
<p>I beg of you all to repaint the picture you have of me, and try to rethink my post. I dont care whether you bash me, saying that I have no chances of getting into a certain school, but just don't mistake me for who I am and what I believe in. I apologize once again for my mistakes, and I hope you understand. </p>
<p>And to Mustafah, that was most definitely not the message I wanted to convey. In mentioning the differences between me and those who I have observed around me, the only thing I wanted to show that I was different, not "holy", not great. In a pool that virtually has tens of thousands of applicants, what I wanted to do was to simply distinguish myself, not to brag or boast. Please, I know that I have made the mistake in writing a post that can clearly portray a different person, and all I hope is that you guys would understand. </p>
<p>I'm sorry.</p>
<p>sorry </p>
<p>the internet does not forgive, </p>
<p>and it does not forget.</p>
<p>... seriously though I'm sure you are a nice person and you really don't have to write such a long post explaining yourself to these people.</p>
<p>@ waitn184 - haha, yeah, same. If I get into any good American school, I have my parents' decision to immigrate to thank.</p>
<p>good chance</p>