<p>She might fail out, she might not.</p>
<p>Guess there's only two options. ;)</p>
<p>Underqualified people do the same thing in the Ivys that they do everywhere else: some drop out, some muddle along on academic probation, and some realize what it is they want out of college and throw themselves into their studies.</p>
<p>From what I've heard and learned, Ivies look for the best of the best- those who will make an impact on the world, being that this girl is the daughter of the senator and a URM ,she represents two things that are desirable for an ivy. Let's not forget, there are thousands of valedictorians who do well in grades and testing and apply to the ivies. In order to be considered it seems you ought to have a high GPA and test scores in the range. From then on you have to impress them with your abilities or show them that you are special in some way.</p>
<p>What if I told you her SATs were in the low 1800s?</p>
<p>Firebird, that's not necessarily true. For a lot of kids, Adcoms lower the score requirements if they like the student. I'm telling you, someone with a 1600-something got accepted into Cornell.</p>
<p>AA makes me so mad. Now, the people benefited by it don't [make me mad]. Because if I were an URM I'd make the most of it too. That's human. My friend got into Harvard. He is half native american. Now, he's not retarded. He has 2200+ SAT scores and very good GPA/Rank, with average ECs. And he's very well off financially. My other friend has gotten rejected from almost all of her schools (mostly top notch LACs) and has similar stats, but has put her heart and soul into helping out those with visual impairments...she herself has had to live with ocular albinism and uncorrectable vision, and she has many awards and honors and outstanding ECs. She is a great essay writer, as well. I hate seeing her cry over this.</p>
<p>"What if I told you her SATs were in the low 1800s?"</p>
<p>I would say -- so what? An SAT score is not the sole determinant of an applicant's intelligence or ability to succeed in life or at college. If you had said her score was in the 1200s, then you might have a point. But 600s are decent scores. </p>
<p>As for what happens to these kids when they get to college: you might want to read "A Hope in the Unseen : An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League" by Ron Suskind. </p>
<p>More specifically, many students get C's and D's in college. And you might be surprised to learn that some of them become incredibly successful in life after college.</p>
<p>I was speaking in general to all those kids who were shocked that they were rejected they thought their stats were great. Its entirely possible that kids with a 1600 got in, but I'm sure they differentiated themselves and had some great hook.</p>
<p>Whatever. I know her. You don't. I highly doubt it was the application. Of course, I know why she got in; I've known since starting this topic. I know that SAT scores aren't the only thing important to colleges. I know that many people have other redeeming characteristics and can still be very intelligent, talented, and of good character.</p>
<p>Look, you want my ross? Well, screw it. I'm being harshly rebuked for this post by my classmates. <em>edits the most poignant paragraph out</em></p>
<p>SAT scores aren't everything. Someone may have character. Someone may have talent. Or, someone may be a URM who proves the wholesome potential of the Civil Rights Movement by having a father in the government.</p>
<p>She was born into Columbia, and that's how she got in: birth. You can justify it economically; there's no justifying it morally.</p>
<p>College doesn't matter? Great. Let the useless college be attended by those who deserve the useless college.</p>
<p>sly_vt I know exactly what you are talking about, one of my teachers (from where I live in the summer - Baltimore City) was a testament to that. He had his son at 13, dropped out at 15 ,got his GED at 19, went to Baltimore city comm. for 1yr, teanferred to morehouse, then went to harvard and graduated from law school at Georgetown. Point: It doesnt matter how you start or where you start or if your grades arent good enough. DO the best you can with what you've got and sooner or later you will get what you deserve. Passion and drive will take you farther than your GPA and SATs when its all said and done.</p>
<p>Once these people (URMs, legacies, athletes), are in, the colleges seem to try to cover their own butts by making sure they don't drop out as much as you'd think they would. Imagine the uproar if a high % of URMs dropped out. People would use those stats to "prove" racism. Likewise, the athletic dept. will ensure the athletes hang in there to "prove" the lower academic standards for jocks do not result in unqualified student-athletes. And legacies will eek by to ensure their parents' money keeps a-comin' in. Like everybody says, it's a business, and if it takes a little fudging to "prove" they are accepting to minorities, to have good sports teams, and to keep the alumni bucks coming in, they will fudge all day long.</p>
<p>the jealousy is overwhelming...it's not her fault she got accepted into columbia and you didn't. you act like you know everything she does in her life. are you a stalker or something? if not, then stop with the jealousy...it makes you unhappy in life.</p>
<p>Why is everyone so anti-AA? I think affirmative action is a good thing.</p>
<p>Affirmative action is a placebo. It exists to perpetuate an illusion that opportunity in America is increasing and that equality is developing. For some reason, a racial group--whether it's social or economic--does not appear to be succeeding with the majority. People therefore give them what they want to make the nation and its institutions appear equitable.</p>
<p>Even though this chick is rich and lives off the fruits of success to begin with.</p>
<p>From what I gathered it sounds like she got in because of her social status, not because she's an URM</p>
<p>Lets not make a mistake of "petty jealosy turned into considerable envy"</p>
<p>You are aware that with your post you fail to ever deem her unqualified for being accepted. Plainly, you assume that her grades are only fair as well as her SAT's. HAVE YOU SEEN THEM?????? Also, you don't know what she does outside of school, perhaps she is quite involved in community service or something of that matter. Also, based on the information your giving, it is so easy to manipulate those activities, such as she doesn't need to say she was an extra, I'm sure by senior year she got a varsity letter just for being a senior, and obviously she's in student government. Obviously you have not fully evaluated the situation to justify your assumptions and speculations. Obviously, you are venting on the situation because it appears that you wanted to go Columbia and she took your spot. And btw, there is barely a group of kids that are unqualified for Ivy's in the sense than anyone can manipulate who they are to become the perfect candidate (if such a thing exists).</p>
<p>I didn't apply to Columbia, or any Ivy, for that matter, so I'm not jealous. I'm a bit outraged, and I'm also calling into question the utility--for both the college and the student--for academically mediocre students to attend these colleges. Some of them, namely athletes, do yield a profit... others, I think, just take up space. Invoking jealousy is really just a swipe for the moral high ground. </p>
<p>I'm certain that the person turned down in her position would do more for herself and for the college--the rejectee did a lot of service, among other things. I doubt, knowing the acceptee better than you do, that she has a lot to offer the college or herself in attending. Why go?</p>
<p>But spare me your wisdom. I know the answers to most of the questions already, and I know it's pretty much futile to ask further questions. Here's my summary of the Ivies: they're not schools anymore, and the mottos and maxims on which they once subsisted are dead. I know, I know, it's so they can profit. Bottom line: they've turned into circuses. Peep shows for a bunch of random folk who are important or good at various sh1t. For the most part, yes, they have good academics and bright people. I just wish they could remember their forebears.</p>
<p>Yes, yes, I know, it won't happen, and yes, yes, it's best that way, I know.</p>
<p>Tourguide: Are you trying to tell me that colleges make it a priority to make sure URMs dont fail? OHH because if URMs fail people will percieve it as racism. Cmon all you are doing now is basically undermining all URMs who have done well by saying that colleges want to make sure they suceed. And what do you mean by "once they are in, the colleges seem to try to cover their own butts by making sure they don't drop out as much as you'd think they would." You are thus perpetuating an unsubstantiated claim that URM's are being admitted into schools when they really do not have the ability suceed. Dont post that nonsense.</p>
<p>"Invoking jealousy is really just a swipe for the moral high ground."</p>
<p>From your earlier posts it seems to come down to this. Jealousy. You are attacking this person for getting into an ivy. I have no doubt in my mind that your fellow classmates feel the same way. I wouldn't be surprised if your schools is filled with a bunch of overachievers and spoiled brats.</p>