Hi guys, I’m a junior in high school, and I’m just really worried about how I compare to other students. When I think of top science schools like MIT, Princeton, etc., I just can’t get rid of the notion that only genius individuals (or very talented individuals) get admitted. I would really love to study at these universities as they would allow me to explore physics in new and profound ways, but I just don’t think I could get in. I also can’t seem to stop comparing myself to younger individuals who have been successful (i.e. invent something or publish a meaningful scientific research paper). I’d really appreciate it if any of you guys can give me advice regarding my worries. Thanks!
So, you’re not someone else. Who are YOU?
What have you done that makes sense to you? Even if you don’t think it’d make sense to colleges?
In any case, build your list from the ground up. Find two colleges where you’re among the top 20% students with a high acceptance rate that offers what you like in terms of vibe and majors. Run the NPC. Bring the results to your parents. Start talking about costs and EFC.
Then, go from there.
No one is sure of getting in. So apply to a couple if your test scores & GPA seem within range. But spend most of your time finding matches & safeties that are affordable and you would be ok attending. You aren’t going to get anyone out here telling you that you have high odds no matter what your stats look like.
There are plenty of other schools strong in physics. And to do much in the field, you need a PhD. Really strong grounding in the undergrad curriculum and some reasearch experience (which can be gained at many colleges, or via REUs) will help you get into a grad school strong in your area of interest.
Don’t worry so much about where you get your undergrad.
Btw, a top school for physics is Lawrence in Wisconsin. Fill out the request info questionnaire.
If you meet all admissions requirements, apply to MIT and other good schools for physics. If you meet admissions standards, you are qualified regardless of personal concerns about qualification. Beyond that, lots of talented introverts share your self perception and do extremely well. If that is really based on luck, they should buy lottery tickets. Finally, there are lots of schools where you could learn physics than MIT, poke around for other options.
https://qz.com/984070/neil-gaiman-has-the-perfect-anecdote-for-anyone-with-impostors-syndrome/
The second best help might be in the form of an anecdote. Some years ago, I was lucky enough invited to a gathering of great and good people: artists and scientists, writers and discoverers of things. And I felt that at any moment they would realise that I didn’t qualify to be there, among these people who had really done things.
On my second or third night there, I was standing at the back of the hall, while a musical entertainment happened, and I started talking to a very nice, polite, elderly gentleman about several things, including our shared first name. And then he pointed to the hall of people, and said words to the effect of, “I just look at all these people, and I think, what the heck am I doing here? They’ve made amazing things. I just went where I was sent.”
And I said, “Yes. But you were the first man on the moon. I think that counts for something.”
And I felt a bit better. Because if Neil Armstrong felt like an imposter, maybe everyone did. Maybe there weren’t any grown-ups, only people who had worked hard and also got lucky and were slightly out of their depth, all of us doing the best job we could, which is all we can really hope for.