<p>I think I've seen about five threads about word count in the past twenty four hours (also in the Admissions forum). I've seen about the same number asking about double or single spacing essays, though these were thankfully spread over a week's time. I understand that everyone wants to do things 'the right way,' but can't people be a little more independent? I can't imagine many of these people in college--are you going to call mommy if you can't decide whether to use MLA or Chicago formatting?</p>
<p>It's the same with the overabundance of "chance" threads. I mean, you're either going to apply or you're not. You will get it, or you will not. Why does it matter what your chances are? And can't you figure them out on your own? It's not as if you are trying to determine whether a school is a safety or not, since Harvard is no one's safety. I don't see the point. </p>
<p>So many people here are worrying and agonizing, searching for reassurances. Look, I'm one of the younger people here at sixteen, so it might not be prudent for me to say this, but grow up, get independent, and gain some confidence. At any top University, you are going to be surrounded by people more gifted and more intelligent than yourself. If you don't have confidence in yourself, how the hell are you going to survive? You'll end up being one of the dropouts (or as good as). </p>
<p>I don't understand why people place so much importance on a bunch of words written by strangers, and yet have so little confidence in themselves that they need to ask the question in the first place.</p>
<p>I agree with you about the application thing, but chances threads have very little to do determining whether to apply to harvard or not, theyre just fun.</p>
<p>"I think I've seen about five threads about word count in the past twenty four hours (also in the Admissions forum). I've seen about the same number asking about double or single spacing essays, though these were thankfully spread over a week's time. I understand that everyone wants to do things 'the right way,' but can't people be a little more independent? I can't imagine many of these people in college--are you going to call mommy if you can't decide whether to use MLA or Chicago formatting?"</p>
<p>My thoughts exactly. If a person needs that much guidance, they don't need to bother applying to a place like Harvard, no matter how high their scores, gpa and class rank are. If they managed to be accepted, they'd end up being miserable because no one is going to bother holding their hand like they apparently need to have their hands held.</p>
<p>Who double-spaced on essays, and why? If you use the Common App online, it does word-wrap FOR you, so it'd be near-impossible to try and double-space...</p>
<p>thank you, corranged! i totally agree with you...it's so dumb to ask for your "chances" of getting into schools...especially harvard, since it's all one big uncertainty. people need to ask themselves these questions, not strangers.</p>
<p>Knowing your chances certainly can affect where you apply SCEA--since you can only apply SCEA to one school, and applying EA tends to give people boosts on their applications, people should probably save SCEA for schools where they have a chance but are not a shoo-in. If you don't have a realistic shot at Harvard, you probably wouldn't want to blow your SCEA opportunity on it.</p>
<p>But on the whole, yeah, "chances" threads are kind of silly. You're anxious, everyone's anxious, no-one can tell you whether you'll get in, suck it up and wait.</p>
<p>I dont think its fair to judge against all chances threads. its stupid for seniors who already applyed, but as a junior i can say that if someone answers my chances thread, i can get some great insight into the college process. it helps me determine what colleges are matches for me. chances threads should be only for people who still have time to change things about their app because they allow for any holes to be seen. i hope that you all can stop complaining about chances threads and actually help people out. most of us here seem to be fine when helping with essays, so i think we should try answering more chance threads too. but i also hope that seniors would be courteous to not post chances threads "just for fun" thanks</p>