<p>Okay, so I'm an A student and I'll be studying engineering at UF. I've got high numbers and everything, but I decided going in state would be good; plus UF has a strong engineering department. Not to mention my scores are iffy to get me in anywhere out of state (31 ACT and low subject tests).</p>
<p>At my school there is a track runner who is really good, but he got tests scores just as good as me, almost exact. His GPA is higher (not due to B's, but a few more weighted electives). However, he is getting recruited at Stanford, Harvard, Duke, and more.</p>
<p>He signed for Duke today and it just made me so depressed. I work hard in my high school career and do so many extracurriculars only to go to UF (happily). But he is going to Duke, and all because he trumps me both academically and athletically. It's not like he's a jerk or anything, he's very nice. It makes me feel so inferior being short (albeit in good shape) and smart against his tallness and smartness. He's going to become a doctor, and he's the kind of person that I know will actually do it. He's the tall, handsome, preppy doctor type. You know, the long bronze paragon with no weakness that I can think about in my head to make myself feel better. </p>
<p>Anyway, it is so hard to cope with this. And I'm not saying I won't be successful, I am quite smart, but after being used to being on top, it is quite disheartening to be "beat" in a competitive sense. Obviously the school a person goes to does not dictate much, but when the person is already way more athletic and taller than me and on top of that on a higher academic level, I feel like curling into a ball and rolling to a corner. </p>
<p>All of us get “beat” at one thing or another at some point in our lives. :)</p>
<p>Instead of dwelling on what you think you’re missing out on, be proud of what you’ve achieved and will achieve. In 5 years, nobody will care that you didn’t go to Duke or get recruited as a track athlete. They’ll care about what you’ve accomplished as a college student.</p>
<p>You are going to have a great college experience. Spend some time on the websites of the UF student groups and think about what you want to try in college.
Another person’s happy moment does not take anything away from your happy moment.</p>
<p>jst believ in ursef nd dnt look @ ordas cuz we r nt runnin a race…u may nt apprecia8 wht u hv until u hv lost it bt dat won’t b uur portion.sumtinx life is lik dat nd datz y u hv 2 strive harded 2 mak it 2 d top</p>
<p>Colleges value athletics too much. It’s kinda sad. And extremely frustrating for the rest of us (particularly the athletes who aren’t recruited! hah).</p>
<p>Remember that when you’re applying to colleges, its not YOU that gets accepted or rejected. It’s your application’s condensed and incomplete representation of you. One person isn’t better than the other based on the decision, but their resume just looked a little better. You can’t extrapolate that resume to the person’s entire character and personality- that’s what colleges try to do, and that’s why great people and great students often fall short.</p>
<p>There’s someone at my own school that makes me feel the same way. If you think you feel inferior now, wait til you meet some of the people that attend top schools…
Part of the college selection process is all about fit, not just numbers/talent wise, but personality, interests, socially, desire for competition, departmental programs, etc.
And here’s the hard truth I’m still getting used to: there will always be people smarter, funnier, sexier, more talented than you. But that doesn’t make you any less talented, interesting, intelligent, etc. Give college a few semesters and fully immerse yourself in the great new experience…you’ll hardly think about him.</p>
<p>If you feel inferior now, imagine how you would feel at Duke surrounded by superstars. Chug on over to namby pamby land and find some self confidence, you jackwagon. Seriously, enjoy UF, become your own star.</p>