<p>I've been told that both my GPA at 3.75 unweighted/4.46 weighted and SAT score at 2120 (superscored, 2100 best sitting) are "a little low". My 710 in LIT and especially my 660 in US History are scandalous for SAT II scores. It's a little bit of a downer but in time I realized that I actually have a good chance of getting into the schools I want to go to. Can anyone confirm or deny that you have to have perfect stats to get into Berkeley out-of-state? I'm hoping that's another exaggeration of CC</p>
<p>Great thread. As an older mom who has seen a few things, I can guarantee any worried kids out there that not all that glitters is gold. Many people are masters of self-aggrandizement and resume padding. When you dig a little and start asking them a few questions, you will find that some substance is lacking somewhere. No one has more than 24 hours in a day, and even the brightest and most efficient students still have to eat, sleep and do some homework and studying sometime.</p>
<p>srabiee90, by no means are your numbers low when compared to the population of students in the U.S. However, what makes chancing difficult is that you have to look at your numbers in context. I don't know how many OOS students have similar scores, so I wouldn't be able to provide insight, but I think you get the point. Even with the numbers, it's still random sometimes. The right mentality to take though is probably to always try to give it your all, and if you need guidance, think, "what could I bring to the college that would set me apart from the 1-9 other kids (depending on the rate of acceptance at the school) they would have to deny in order to admit me?"</p>
<p>Hi! Junior here, have been coming for about 3 years...</p>
<p>While it's obvious that CC students are not the norm, I don't think this is a bad thing. The chance forum is ridiculous-but that really is only one small part of CC.</p>
<p>I personally love the Highschool Life, and everybody is so really brilliant, but so cool and nice that it's like a group of friends.</p>
<p>Also, the SAT board, while it's intimidating, also gives a lot of hope and a lot of help. The SAT and SAT II books alone are outstanding-not to mention the help you can ask for. There are also a surprising number of score jumps, from people who have worked their butts off from 1800 to 2300, so that should be inspiring to anyone who feels at a plateau. I know, for me, that it pushes me to do more (not in a bad way). While my guidance counselor is discouraging me from retaking anything over 600, and saying that the SAT in junior year is bad, I can see a different perspective.</p>
<p>true story.</p>
<p>Well.....its hard to embellish on this thread. But its important to also know that the difference between a 2000 SAT and 2150 is a lot fewer correct answers than most would admit to, and its really slicing hairs in many cases, but its what admissions officers have to do.</p>
<p>Second, a lot of braggadocios appear on this website and its always a hoot to hear the "chance me" and "whiners" who have uber high stats and are "stressed about getting into Harvard or Yale." Get a life. Grow up. And stop obsessing about yourself. Further, some people put up scores that are not true in some sort of sick game to be a skunk at the garden party. Dont always believe what you read. And some parents exaggerate their kids stats. </p>
<p>Finally, I dont think my kid wants to attend a school full of self obsessed narcissistic neurotic nerds. And I am sure Harvard and Yale don't want their freshmen class to be full of them either. If I were an admissions officer, my own bias would be towards a hard working kid with CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY. And yes, that is really hard to discern from paperwork and scores. And yes, a lot of kids get away with a lot of stuff and pull the wool over the eyes of their counselors and recommending teachers. </p>
<p>Its an imperfect process. If you get rejected or waitlisted its not always because they are saying you can't cut the mustard at their school. In fact, you might very well be a superb student there. Its just that there are not enough seats (read, dorm rooms) to admit everyone. And a lot of people are applying to more than 8-10 schools....I heard stories of 20 in a few cases, and that always makes the applications balloon at many schools. People who got into Harvard, Princeton and Yale 30 years ago would not likely get in today. Its a new paradigm. But so what? You take your skills, character and personality to another school and thrive there. </p>
<p>Nobody likes to be rejected. Especially high achievers who are used to success. But even kids who struggled in high school with learning disabilities, sickness, personal tragedy or whatever feel the pain of rejection. But I can assure you, unless you are wholly unqualified for college education and there are fewer than 1% of people who are in that category, or you were totally deluded and applied only to reach schools, you will be in college in September 08 and for the vast majority of you, it will be the right choice and you will never look back.</p>
<p>Even 2nd tier schools are receiving record number of applications....sometimes over 20,000. That is the bad news. The good news is that there are over 3,000 colleges in the United States. And there are many hidden gems, sometimes staring you in the face and just waiting on YOUR application. My daughter got showered with glossy advertising from many great schools.....some of them off the beaten path.....GREAT schools like Randolph Macon Women's College, University of Richmond, Hollins College, Elon University on and on.....ultimately she did not go there. But they are out there. Also in the third tier there are many, many great schools. I know kids who were devastated and almost trashed their senior year because they didnt get into UVa or UNC. They are now at VaTech and NCState and couldnt be happier and are thriving. It all works out in the end.</p>
<p>Be proud, be realistic and be focused. Good luck to everyone.</p>
<p>srabiee: "Can anyone confirm or deny that you have to have perfect stats to get into Berkeley out-of-state? I'm hoping that's another exaggeration of CC"</p>
<p>Goodness. Where do I begin? I am not a Californian but have in-laws there who have been through this a few times. At the risk of making defenders of Berkeley really mad, I have to ask why on earth you are fixated on Berkeley out of state? Most Californians recognize its "status" and lofty rankings, but many of them desire to go there because its in-state and cheap. I never really understood why anyone out of state would pay the increased tuition to go to a state school. Chances are, they can do just as well financially and academically at a smaller private school either at home or out of state. Maybe you have some particular program you are interested in, but I can assure you, that there are many programs at many other colleges that would fit your bill. Berkeley is a very liberal school and its very big. Make sure you visit there first and ensure its a good fit for you academically, financially, socially and geographically. But if I were you, I would apply to several schools that match your scores and embrace them. Frankly, graduate school is more important than undergraduate school anyway. And lots of kids from Montana and North Dakota get into PRESTIGIOUS graduate schools. (that is a figure of speech, I am not saying you are from there and not picking at people who are.)</p>
<p>I dont know what your stats are, but presuming they are very high, you have a great number of superb schools to choose from. If Berkeley is still your number one choice for some particular reason, fine. Just make sure you know what you are doing. I know kids who went to Michigan and Ohio State but that had more to do with social and athletic factors than prestige or financial considerations. I know a kid who went out of state to Georgia. Georgia is a great school and rising in the ranks. But its also VERY big. This kid wanted to be a vet. Well, after one year, the "vet" thing died and is now a business major. LOL! This kid could have stayed in state at a GREAT state school and saved a lot of money. Whatever. </p>
<p>I just told my kid, "if you are going out of state it should likely be a private school, because you better have a good reason to pay out of state fees to a large state school that trumps an in state school."</p>
<p>It seems to me that CC yields students most interested in their education, which are usually the cream of the crop in HS and College.</p>
<p>I was also surprised as a Public University student to see the sheer volume of students who talk about Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, etc. etc. as if they are just your typical neighborhood schools. I have gotten so much helpful advice from this sight, I absolutely love these forums, they are great for parents and students alike!</p>
<p>thanks so much for this post. it made my day.</p>
<p>Good post. At first, I was intimidated by all the perfect scores, gpas, and activities but after some thinking, I came to the conclusion that most people who go on this site only post because of something they're proud of or willing to discuss. I mean, wouldn't you feel like crap if you felt you had the worst resume and had no chance of college because you're surrounded by overachievers? Plus, the kids who come here are fairly competitive and worried about their chances. I bet most kids, who score average, aren't as concerned enough waste their time to ask questions and worry over the admission process. So don't feel down the next time you see someone who has great stats. It's just the nature of the type of people who log onto this site.</p>
<p>Rolling, I do agree it's great to see so many kids who care so much, but I think its those who have a 2250 asking if they should retake and if they can get into schools they know they are over qualified for. How does that make "the average kid feel" ? Hopeless for starters, the point is we can easily lose sight of the fact that the AVERAGE American teen has a score of 1510 NOT over 2000! This happens to be an extraoridinary group of students, but he primary purpose of the post was to remind all those "average to above average students" that you with your 1700's, 1800's, 1900's are still WAY ABOVE the average, have a lot to be proud of and many many excellent schools will be happy to have you. Ditto for all you 2200's, you know you too will be offered many great opportunities and I too wish you much luck in getting through the next few months. Indeed being a teenager today IS NOT what is used to be! Good luck everyone!</p>
<p>I think a lot of CC'ers are students who have a lot of ambition and drive. I mean, that's why they come to this site, spending time that they could be using to pursue an EC, watch T.V., or whatever. Consequently, that's also why you see a lot of kids worrying about their test scores; you can't really criticize someone for trying the best he or she can to succeed. Just because a test score is okay in your book doesn't mean that it is the same in someone else's. With that being said, I agree that complaining on a public forum about your needs isn't always the best way to relieve anxiety (I've learned from personal experience), but I understand how some highly motivated people can feel when they "fail" to reach their targeted goals.</p>
<p>Also, "above average" is a term that can either be used to compare students across the nation or in the applicant pool of a certain school. To be just "above average" nationally on the SAT probably won't cut you a break at schools where a lot of CC'ers tend to apply: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, whatever. </p>
<p>But, also remember, no two individuals are alike, and everyone has different goals. So, when you're browsing this site, don't let others discourage you if you are not aiming for HYPSM or are not what people here seem to be calling "amazing" (even though I think the word "amazing" is giving too much of a compliment to many simply hardworking students). The most important thing is to know your own level and where you want to place yourself. Focus on getting into YOUR school, not the schools that other people apply to. </p>
<p>And, vice versa, don't let anyone tell you your scores are "good enough" if you have true doubts about them because, in the long run, you will be the one who receives the acceptance or rejection letter in the mail. Figure out, in some way or another, what score a school would consider reasonable and aim for that. The better thing to do is to look up, not down; there's no harm in trying to do a little better than you think you can do right now. That applies to everyone. I think having a sense of independence is the best thing one can do on these forums. Don't ask other people what EC's are good, or any questions similar to that. Be yourself, stay realistic, and I'm sure you'll be happy.</p>
<p>Thank you for this topic.</p>
<p>I was beginning to think that this was a little too elite for me to view. My daughter is in the process and very stressed. Thank goodness she is unaware of this site, or it would freak her out even more.</p>
<p>I find some of the posted stats to be a little unbelievable..some fall just short of walking on water and curing cancer while being the captain of every varsity sport and president of every club their high schools have to offer.</p>
<p>That could be very intimidating to an already stressed out senior.</p>
<p>I find it disappointing when the prospective students come here and bash the colleges that so many kids are applying to.</p>
<p>Even that there is an entire thread dedicated to " colleges you would never attend ".
Not everyone is a potential Ivy League student, but that doesn't mean that they will not be successful in achieving their goals</p>
<p>
[quote]
Finally, I dont think my kid wants to attend a school full of self obsessed narcissistic neurotic nerds.</p>
<p>Second, a lot of braggadocios appear on this website and its always a hoot to hear the "chance me" and "whiners" who have uber high stats and are "stressed about getting into Harvard or Yale." Get a life. Grow up. And stop obsessing about yourself.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>A bit harsh, don't you think? </p>
<p>Well, guess what? I wouldn't want to go to a school with stupid, chain smoking low achievers. No public universities for me.</p>
<p>Let's all play the stereotyping game.... (sarcasm, for those who have trouble detecting it)</p>
<p>Ctmom3, if my score puts me at the 25% percentile for Harvard, and another person's score puts them at the 25% percentile for Oregon State Uni, there could be 100's of points difference between our scores -- but in context to where we want to apply, we practically have the "same score". So if the kid whose target is OSU can worry about his score, are you saying the kid applying to Harvard can't - just because some of the other readers might feel bad and intimidated? I don't get it. I don't know... there's a fine line between overobsessing and taking a realistic second look at your scores/ECs whatever, but I don't think people should take away the right for us to discuss or worry about high scores for the simple reason that for us, and for some of the universities we are looking at, they are simply not that high. It's a different strokes for different folks thing. If someone is really truly emotionally bothered at seeing lots of high scores being angsted over, maybe he/she just doesn't need to visit the "Should I Retake?!?!" threads. They don't offer much value to anyone but the original poster, anyway.</p>
<p>ambr3, I think you are being way too sensitive and personalizing a comment that was not aimed at you. If you get into Harvard then good for you. But there are people on this board that are a little over the top in being self obsessed with "chance me" when they have uber stats and every EC known to mankind. I am much more likely to give an honest assessment and offer a word of encouragement to someone who goes to a particular college thread and legitimately wants to go there, such as first choice types, and wants a view of their chance of being admitted if they are humble or concerned. </p>
<p>I want my kid to go to a college with people in roughly the same peer group of academic achievers, with room for uber stats at the top or some 25th percentile admits. And that is what my kid is presently doing and is very happy. Challenged and working very hard every day, but not frenetic or overwhelmed or stressed out or lonely...or feeling like a fish out of water. That is my point.</p>
<p>Doing well in school is more than just stats. It has to do with motivation, opportunity, MATURITY, and overall fit at the school, whether that is Harvard, Princeton, Boston College, Bowdoin, Iowa State or Cal-Irvine.</p>
<p>By the way, I see your sarcastic humor. But let me give you a true life story. I once knew a kid who was an expert in Russian. He was not a native speaker. He worked to the highest levels of the United States Government and served in Moscow during the Cold War. He was a patriot. He grew up on a farm in Iowa and went to Iowa State. He was not a chain smoking low achieving state school kid. He was a public school kid who didnt come from privilege. He married someone who worked for Voice of America. Touche.</p>
<p>amb3r, your idea was valid but your approach was just inappropriate. Mind you, there are amazing public universities in this nation, some of which might not even want you (Berkely), so be a little more sensitive to those of us who may have a public education. _Thanks</p>
<p>I don't get it. Why is it suddenly okay to claim that there are kids going to top universities who are "narcissistic neurotic nerds" but not okay to claim that there are kids going to public schools who are "stupid, chain smoking low achievers"? Obviously, amb3r's point was that you can't stereotype either position, if you missed her sarcasm, grantortue. Both comments are ignorant and serve only to boost one's vanity.</p>
<p>Insults flying at anyone's choice for where they choose to attend for their higher education is disturbing.</p>
<p>My oldest daughter attends a very desirable college for her chosen career path , as well as several others in the same genre. It is competitive, difficult to get into and very well recognized .</p>
<p>There are also several chain smokers. whether or not that makes them underachievers..who knows ?</p>
<p>The point is, don't be so quick to judge. There are plenty of fine colleges, public and private.
This forum seems to be dominated by elitist education snobs.</p>
<p>Some of you will not make it into your desired schools and maybe have to be humbled by attending your absolute last choice schools.</p>
<p>I have seen it happen in the last couple of years.</p>
<p>I have seen valedictorians go from top schools to EMT school or their local community colleges.</p>
<p>That doesn't mean that you will not have fulfilling college experiences.</p>
<p>Just try not to be so quick to judge and put down those you deem to be beneath you.</p>
<p>The main reason many of these high achievers (and for that matter not so high achievers) will go to public universities or lower tier schools is economic not academic. When your higher academic credentials don't match up with your lower financial wherewithal then it's reality check time and you have to find the best deal that will work for you as a family. Merit aid is pretty hard to come by even for the 2250+SAT-Great EC's-great essays kind of students.</p>
<p>"The main reason many of these high achievers (and for that matter not so high achievers) will go to public universities or lower tier schools is economic not academic."</p>
<p>There also is not enough room in the top tier colleges (including public ones) for all of the high achievers in this country.</p>