<p>I seriously don't stand a chance. I don't have Intel and Siemens, never done a lot of research, and don't have a gazillion ECs available. Along with another thread about a guy (crud, will graduate in the same year) making 60k with the business.</p>
<p>I seriously wanted to say this for a long time.</p>
<p>Pft. You don't need to be superman to be a good applicant. I've never done research myself. Nor I've ever done any science competition. The way these things work are through opportunity. If you don't have it, who can hold it against you.</p>
<p>Either way, being you is enough.</p>
<p>^^ I agree. I didn't even know what Intel and Siemens were before I came to this thread (really I still don't) and I know there have to be people like me who go to HYP etc without knowing what these things are. </p>
<p>Relax, you'll get into the college that fits you the best.</p>
<p>Hopefully this quote from a current Princeton student will encourage you:
"Here at Princeton, 95% of the people I know - and I am not exaggerating - would not be deemed Princeton material or even Ivy material by many posters here on CC."</p>
<p>^Ah, but we still don't stand a chance. That only proves that nobody stands a chance.</p>
<p>if that quote is true, how is it so hard to get in?</p>
<p>maybe that was just a rhetorical question</p>
<p>Remember, there are true posters and false posters on CC. I seriously don't think all the people that say they have 2300+ and the brilliant ECs they say they do. There has to be significant amount of people who lie about it.</p>
<p>^Yup. You never can tell on the internet. And, even on CC, you have to take everything with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>I must echo what the OP said</p>
<p>I wish I could do high school over again and make better decisions with the knowledge I have gained. I am not crying about an A- , I just wish I did more things, competed more, did better in English class, started some ECs earlier.</p>
<p>Oh well, April will tell how important it is</p>
<p>2blue, what did the Princeton student mean that 'they wouldn't be deemed Ivy material?' Is it score -wise or EC-wise that they lack the Ivy hook?</p>
<p>I feel the same discouragement. I'm only a freshman this year, and am taking strong classes and getting good grades, but I feel like school isn't enough. I don't have any star activities that well make me stand out. I hardly do any ECs, and I don't have any leadership roles. Outside of school, there aren't really any activities that I am involved in, I play no sports. I'm only in freshman year, and I don't know how I'll get through the rest of high school. High school in itself is not bad, it's actually kind of fun, the bad part is worry about what will happen when the 4 years are up. If I knew that I was going to be in high school for the rest of my life and never have to worry about the future, I could deal with that. It's not knowing where I'll get into college that worries me.</p>
<p>I'm a freshman and I feel discouraged a lot too, I have 6 honors and 1 AP course, I'm extremely far ahead in math, I have a "ridiculous" amount of high school awards and EC's, I'm thinking about starting a second sport... I try really hard but the pressure is intense... and I worry I'll end up with a 1800 SAT or something that will keep me from going to the colleges I'm interested in...
I'd really like to know exactly how hard it is to get into 1st tier colleges... if I excel with what I have, and really go out of my way, am I still expected to start a business and win Intel?</p>
<p>Don't worry about the SAT of all things! It's really not as hard as it's hyped up to be, if you're a great student- as you seem to be- it shouldn't be a problem, 90% of the time.</p>
<p>Well possibly the smartest person I know got an 1800 on it Sophomore year... that's what worries me. ( of course it was like a 780, 600, 500)
But hopefully ye old review books will help me. LOL</p>
<p>I didn't know what Intel and Siemens were either. Nor did I know that all of those math tests existed, like the math olympics (USAMO, AIME?). It seems like Everyone's done those.</p>
<p>Well, if it's any consolation, it took me three tries to get even a 1920 on my SAT. And I don't have any extra curriculars. None. And no work experience or awards. I couldn't participate in sports in high school <em>I tried</em> because I lacked experience <em>my scoliosis kept me out of physical activity in middle school</em>, and I took a year off to go to Japan. However, I'm really hoping my exchange helps me on my application, because it's all I've got going for me.</p>