<p>I keep looking at the message boards for my top choices (keep in mind, I'm not applying to any prestigious institutions), and I read these threads about whether or not people got accepted, and it scares the crap out of me. There are some kids who REALLY wanted to go to these schools, and really DESERVED to go to these schools--even kids surpassed the school's average numbers. How does this happen? Do the adcoms simply go, "We have to many people from this area already. DENIED." I like to think that the schools I'm applying to evaluate their applicants holistically--that we aren't just numbers tatooed on a transcript, that we can use WORDS to define who we are instead of raw numerical data that is, in respect to GPA and class rank at least, almost completely subjective. But I'm beginning to think that's a complete and utter fallacy engendered by my own delusional wishful-thinking-meets-cynical-realist (i.e. I really hope I get into my dream school, but I have no self esteem thanks to high school so I'm going to keep telling myself I have no chance) state of mind. Are we all numbers? Can our dreams really be dashed on a whim because adcoms can never see past our algorithm-adorned parchment (transcripts)? Can essays even "cure the sick"? Am I screwed?
Sometimes I wish I could have those three (so far) years of high school back. But it's no use thinking like that, because they're too far gone.</p>
<p>Oh man we need time machines. </p>
<p>But yea, it really does get -ing WEIRD at the top. Colleges accept and accept and suddenly they're out of spaces. 20000 applications for 1500 spots. A lot of kids are getting left out. It's all down to chance sometimes, I guess.</p>
<p>bumpzzzzzz?</p>
<p>This is more of a rant/cry for help than a question. All of those questions you should be able to answer for yourself.</p>