<p>Dear OP,</p>
<p>That is a faulty assumption that obviously cannot be made via the Internet. I am a very ardent reader and carry a book wherever I go--to the movies, to school, to the grocery store, wherever. I have done this virtually every day since six years of age. I was reading about four to five years above my grade level in elementary school and continue to challenge myself with novels and histories detailing subjects of interest to me. Right now I am reading The Devil in the White City, which I only put down because I am subjected to school, homework, or have an occasional urge to check College Confidential or my e-mail. </p>
<p>And by the way, yes, I know it is possible to read several novels a day. You are speaking to someone who does just that, but who knows how to manage her time and balance it with what must be done in order to succeed. </p>
<p>Now, you wouldn't know this, because I am on the Internet and do not have a username along the lines of ZOMGBOOKZ516. I can forgive you for not knowing better, though it just goes to show that what they say about assumptions is true. </p>
<p>I apologize to readers of this thread for hijacking it to talk about myself. I am not at issue here, and I am sorry if this post comes off as self-centered or as bragging.</p>
<p>The matter at hand: Discotheque, the fact that you are essentially parading the existence of your high IQ around as a possible way to get an edge up on admissions (see the title of your thread if you don't believe me), combined with your apparently innate decision to disregard or attempt to degrade anything that you personally do not feel is an accurate measure of your intelligence, makes you highly unsympathetic to the readers of this thread. Furthermore, if you present the same personality on your applications, ad coms will not be sympathetic either. They might want smart students, but they also want students who are not smarmy and who do not blow off the measures of intelligence that the colleges have accepted as adequate enough--and ones with a certain degree of humility. </p>
<p>As far as I--and the other readers of this thread--can see, you are lacking that.</p>
<p>I am surprised at the level of hostility toward the OP. He has only asked for advice on a particular point, yet many have seen fit to criticize the guy's entire set of life choices. I think many are simply intimidated.</p>
<p>OP, you remind me of my own son. Although he isn't quite as bright as you are or quite so unwilling to play the school game. He too has taken many AP's with 5s, online, self studied, in school, etc, but struggles with bothering to turn in work and often winds up with Bs rather than As. </p>
<p>When I came here for advice about him (I went to the parent's forum)-- many people suggested the University of Chicago as a school that was more forgiving of an imperfect GPA if there were signs of great intellect in the applicant. </p>
<p>As to how to display your potential, you mentioned that you believe you have great insight into a number of subjects. Pick a few and start writing about those insights. Look for publications in those fields and start submitting! Failing successful publication, when it is time for college applications, pick the one you feel is best and send it as "supplementary material".</p>
<p>Eventually, you will find a spot where just thinking and sharing what you have thought (via publication or research) is cherished.</p>
<p>However, that spot is probably not the student section of cc.</p>
<p>"I am surprised at the level of hostility toward the OP."</p>
<p>As an outside observer, it seemed like people did try to give general information. Then someone mentioned that talking about IQ makes a person sound arrogant, the OP took that personally, became defensive, and things spiraled out of control. </p>
<p>I still think the basic point is valid: in traditional behavioral interviewing (which is what colleges do), current results predict future results. IQ solely represents potential. So unless the OP uses his/her potential to generate results (e.g. contribute to the academic literature, win some sort of academic award, etc.), he/she is not going to change the admissions board's expectation of future results, and thus will not help his/her application. </p>
<p>In fact, I could make a case where disclosing a high IQ could hurt. Imagine two students, one with a 130 IQ and one with a 170 IQ. Ceteris paribus (and assuming they're not at upper bound of 4.0 GPA, 2400 SAT), the student with the lower IQ is the more efficient student. Clearly, the lower IQ student must have better study skills, time management skills, motivation, etc. which potentially makes that person a better candidate (in upper level education, it's arguable that motivation and time management are more important than IQ). Obviously, you'd have to guard against people who were operating at maximum capacity at high school (you want someone with potential to grow), but the argument still holds for many ranges of IQ.</p>
<p>"I still think the basic point is valid: in traditional behavioral interviewing (which is what colleges do), current results predict future results. IQ solely represents potential. So unless the OP uses his/her potential to generate results (e.g. contribute to the academic literature, win some sort of academic award, etc.), he/she is not going to change the admissions board's expectation of future results, and thus will not help his/her application." </p>
<p>Thank you, G.P. I think that sums up the situation precisely.</p>