<p>Is anyone confused about where they want to go?
Does anyone feel like there isn't a university out there for you?
Does anyone feel like their stats aren't up to par? Especially after reading everyone elses?</p>
<p>Everyone seems to be bubbling with confidence - these amazing stats that even if they are worried, they needn't be. Mine are definitely aren't up there and I feel as if I won't get in anywhere (even though I know it's not true). I was just wondering if there was anyone with a likewise view...</p>
<p>same here all these people with their 1600's and 4.0 unweighted, its a little overwhelming. I am a little better then average but that is about it. I know I am better then UGA but as of right now I can't think of anywhere else to go. I only have about of 1320 SAT and a 3.7 GPA but that is nothing to cough at becuase I have worked hard to get where I am. I am also asian and the rest of the asian I here about have all these ultra-high scores but I know I am not simply capable of that. These people here worry to much, its not you scores that get you to places in life its you charater and work ethnic. My parents were not the smartest people in the world and they were from a forgein country but they worked hard to get where they are right now. That is really all that matters.</p>
<p>Locke...that is actually a relief you said that. I think I am in a similar situation to you. I honestly don't get the reputation Ivy Leagues have anyway....if you look at the majority of the people on the board of directors of such companies as General Electric, Allstate Insurance, and Texas Instruments most come from relatively "no name" schools in the midwest.</p>
<p>A thousand times, yes. I don't have a "dream school" like most people on CC, and I'm so flip-floppy about my personality that a lot of very different schools appeal to me. I probably also have the lowest stats of anyone I've seen around here, though that's not saying much since it's a board full of overachievers.</p>
<p>I honestly don't get the reputation Ivy Leagues have anyway....if you look at the majority of the people on the board of directors of such companies as General Electric, Allstate Insurance, and Texas Instruments most come from relatively "no name" schools in the midwest.</p>
<br>
<p>hmm ... that knowledge certainly makes it clear that you can make it "big" coming from a ton of schools. </p>
<p>But please be careful with the math ... I believe just Wisoncin and Michigan combined are bigger than the eight IVY league schools combined ... there are a ton more grads from other schools. Looking at those big wigs I'd bet that the IVYies (and other like schools) are way over represented compared to the other schools if you compare the % of students from a school who "make it big" ... but that is a iffy stat also. </p>
<p>Now the real question is there a difference in "making it big" among the similar students given where they went to school ... and this appears to much less clear.</p>
<p>Is anyone confused about where they want to go?
So confused.... I'm only in grade 11 though so I have a bit of time to decide.</p>
<p>Does anyone feel like there isn't a university out there for you?
Sort of.... they all have things I want but none of them have it all together. It's very frustrating... job opportunity vs. school/city life vs. reputation vs. education.... what to choose?</p>
<p>Does anyone feel like their stats aren't up to par? Especially after reading everyone elses? A bit. I know I'm up there (Canadian system - no SATs for me! :P), but it seems insane to me how many EC's people have. Actually. I probably have one of the busier schedules in my school... and still have nearly no free time to add more (although I do haha). I just don't get how it's physically possible to take on the sheer number of EC's people post up here. I hate how it makes smart, decicated people start doubting themselves.</p>
<p>I have NO IDEA where I'll end up. I have my favorites but without some gift money it just isn't worth it to me. I don't have super scores or URM status, but felt that I have done relatively well in school and deserve some chance.... it is also very hard to see all of my friends getting decisions and deciding where they're going and me with no idea. I guess that's the problem with applying to mostly competitive schools...</p>
<p>"Does anyone feel like their stats aren't up to par? Especially after reading everyone elses?"</p>
<p>I thought my stats were good -- until I found CC. After reading post after post of 1400+ SATI's, 800's in SATII's, and unbelievably amazing EC's, I was very discouraged. I was even more discouraged by the fact that many of these very lucky people go on to say "I know my scores are low, but ..."!! HOW depressing!!</p>
<p>So now I just stay off the WAMC threads. There's a lot of other good information and advice on this forum.</p>
<p>I have 1540, 800, 800, 780, 4.0uw, research experiences/papers, and great recs/additional submissions. However, I still feel that there are a ton of people out there that will have tons of awards that will impress the adcoms more than I will. Oh well, I applied, that's all that matters.</p>
<p>And 3togo, I think your reasoning is off a little. The reason Ivy grads make it "big" so often is that they were the smartest to begin with. If you take a random sampling of people with 150 IQ + and compare it to a random sampling of everybody, the per capita number of successes will be far greater for the high intelligence pool. If your smart and dedicated, it won't really matter too much where you attend.</p>
<p>And 3togo, I think your reasoning is off a little. The reason Ivy grads make it "big" so often is that they were the smartest to begin with. If you take a random sampling of people with 150 IQ + and compare it to a random sampling of everybody, the per capita number of successes will be far greater for the high intelligence pool. If your smart and dedicated, it won't really matter too much where you attend.</p>
<br>
<p>I basically agree with this ... that was what my real question comment was trying to get at ... it seems the really talented and motivated kids suceed wherever they go to school.</p>
<p>I suppose I know that everyone is worried about college...more I'm wondering about the ones who, as many have said, thought they were good until they came here, or aren't so sure of themselves. I know that 1600s, 4.0uw, etc. have doubts when they really needn't be. I know my PSAT score isn't anything to go off on really, but seeing a 164 compared to everyone elses...especially when I really studied for it, is just depressing for me...</p>
<p>I don't really know where I want to go. The places I think I'd like are either A. way too expensive B. I don't think I could get in with my stats, comparing them with people on here thinking about the same school or C. Both. </p>
<p>It is comforting to know not everyone is ranked in the top 5% of their class...</p>
<p>Its natural to be worried in this situation. On the other hand, a good part of the worry is due to not having a good plan for choosing a college. Having a good plan won't make the worry disappear, but it will give you the confidence that you really considered your alternatives and made the best choice you could. And when you think about it, thats all anyone can do.</p>
<p>Get a book such as "Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That's Right for You" by Pope. He has a LAC bias, but his book lays out a clear plan for deciding whats important to you in a college, and then identifying ones that match your criteria and that you can afford. </p>
<p>Too many people have only vague ideas of what they want in college, leading to anxiety and worry since after all you don't know if you made a good choice if you have no real grounds for choosing! And all too many students make their college search a "what's the ranked highest USN&WR school I can get into" rather than considering what's best for them.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind the people you hear from here are shooting for the best of the best (regardless, in many cases, of whether that's really the right school for them). Outside of the most selective 100 or so colleges, most colleges accept the majority of their applicants. Bet you didn't know that!! That leaves, oh, about 2000+ to choose from. There are plenty of good colleges out there, and you can find one that's right for you even if you don't have a 1600 & 4.0.</p>
<p>Well, I'm not completely clueless. The ones I'm considering are</p>
<p>Ohio U (athens)
American U
Hollins U
U of South Carolina (Columbia)
U of Missouri (Columbia)
Syracuse U
Bowling Green State U
Miami U (OH)</p>
<p>I just really don't think I have a chance after hearing from all these people...and I have no clue what to do to look better. I'm incredibly nervous.</p>
<p>Hey, oneiros, it's glad to see another ohioan. I'm a junior, so I can't really understand, but everything'll work out. It's just the senior year jitters.</p>
<p>hey celebrian - I'm actually a junior too. I freak out easily when it comes to college. I'll be worse come this fall, trust me. haha ;) Good luck on you search/apps!</p>
<p>A couple of general remarks from (a) an older parent (b) someone with a Ph.d. from a "name" school and a former college prof at a "name" school.</p>
<p>School measures only one type of skill sets. Those who have "people skills" will rise to the top in "real world" endeavors. Many of those on CC seem to have both -- academic/scholarly talents and strong interpersonal skills. But the latter carries significantly more weight, once you are out of school -- even if you continue in academia or research.</p>
<p>Having taught both undergraduates and graduate students, my own belief is that the vast majority of brilliant students are late bloomers. That is, they become rising stars after HS. If you are lucky enough to find something that excites you and about which you love learning, you will become a star -- and many times, the world's leading expert in...! Those types of students always outshine the ones who were smarter and/or had better grades and scores. Many of you will find that you do much better in college than in HS (and not because of grade inflation!).</p>
<p>I have known some astoundingly brilliant people in academia, research, medicine and the corporate world. Only a couple seem to be happy in their personal lives. "Smarts," career success and wealth seem to have little correlation with finding true joy in life.</p>
<p>Just as there probably are dozens of people in the world to whom you could be happily married, there probably are dozens of colleges where you will excel and be happy. Find one that feels comfortable and where you can picture yourself for the next four years. </p>
<p>Finally, if you have a safety that has rolling admissions (like many of the state universities), be sure to apply ASAP! It's amazing how getting an acceptance or two takes the pressure off!</p>
<p>Thank you, boxmaker, that's reassuring... I definitely know how you all feel... I'm a junior, and I've had kind of a rocky hs career. I have 1550 satI's, wonderful recs (my teachers wrote them for me for NJ Governor's School and I read them), am very dedicated to my ec's, and really do love the classes I'm interested in, but my gpa is a hideous 3.6 and I do not think I have even a remote shot at any of the schools I want to go to. It is very discouraging.</p>