My take on college admissions:

Applying to College
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<p>Dear CC members:</p>

<p>In about a 2 months, the May 1st deadline will come around and I along with most of you guys will know where we will be next year. First of all I want to say good luck to all of you and you are all amazing people that will do great things. Even though the college application process isn't quite over I have decided to write this little blurb in order to help the underclassmen with their college search. I will warn you, some of what I have to say will be blunt and controversial. I am not trying to troll or flame anyone. Everything I say is fact or evidence-based opinion. Thank you</p>

<p>Here are some of the interesting things I have learned being a HS student trying to apply to top schools: </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Grades matter HUGELY...Don't ever underestimate the importance of GPA, course rigor and class rank. I did for the first 2 years and sincerely regret it. If you go to a top HS, top grades will also help you socially as more people will respect you assuming your not a jerk and/or socially awkward. I've known people that are nice to other students simply because he/she was val/sal. Do I agree with this policy, no. But life's unfair sometimes. You will find this more true in college, ironically. </p></li>
<li><p>The SAT/ACT/SAT II: These tests are way more important than anyone ever mentions. Unless you score 2200+ (minority) or 2300+ (asian/white), I believe your score can hurt you at many top schools, even ones below the HYPSM level. I scored a dismal 32 and every day I cringe at how awful my score is. Nearly half of some of my AP classes have higher scores and most of my fellow board members on the EC board's have higher scores as well. A 32 probably ruined my chances at ivy's. I hope not but well see. </p></li>
<li><p>AP test: The myth that AP test don't matter is a flat out lie told by colleges to get more money. AP tests are very important. My college counselor (former adcom at a top public) said AP test are nearly as important as SAT IIs. Luckily, I have done well on my AP exams. </p></li>
<li><p>ECs: These are very, very important. The key is starting freshman year. Find 3 clubs you like freshman year and make it your goal to become president of each one. Also, choose an academic competition and dominate it (i.e. if you like science, make it your goal to win 4 straight sci oly medals). Also, go beyond your school. Remember, there is a NHS president at every HS but only 1 international president of Key Club. I hold the #5 position in KC and it is by far my most prestigious EC. Also, do unique stuff with your ECs. Hold fundraiser events, get a poem published, Etc. </p></li>
<li><p>National Merit: This matters. STUDY FOR THE PSAT. Colleges DO care if your commended/scholar and you can win scholarships. </p></li>
<li><p>Race: Race in college admissions BARELY matters for high income students. I live in a high income area and the hispanic students do none better than the asian students with similar stats. The only exception is native american because they're are simply so few at top colleges. </p></li>
<li><p>Gender: IMO, going to a top college matters way more for guys than more girls. If your a girl and you go to your state flagship, are decently attractive, and with a decent work ethic you will have almost the same opportunity as a girl that goes to HYPSM. For guys, it's different. The reality is many employers at still male and due to evolution, will be much nicer to girls. For guys, it is imperative that one goes to a top college if they want to start out successful. I'm not saying every guy that goes to a state school will be a bum but he most likely will have to work harder and that's ok because success is about hard work so he may do better in the long run anyways. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>High School Life topics: </p>

<p>Friends: One of the best way to make friends is to join clubs, especially if your school is top ranked. Also, get leadership positions. People are much more inclined to be social with you if they know that you are a valued leader. This is especially for guys. I've actually seen cases of people getting GFs simply because he/she was in charge of club. I'm not joking. Do I agree with this, no, but again I don't agree with lots of things. </p>

<p>Teachers: You must know how to work the system. If your smart, you can take 5-6 AP classes, play a sport, and do a bunch of ECs. The key is finding teachers that don't give busywork. Also, good test taking skills is key for AP classes as most of your grade will be based on test. Finally, make sure you know what classes your good/ok in and take lots of those courses. Branch out a little too. The most important thing though is you try to get the easiest AP teachers possible. Hard teachers may prepare you better but you can prepare yourself come the AP test time. Lots of work in November won't make a difference. </p>

<p>Relationships:
For Guys: Unfortunately , in many cases HS is very bad for dating for guys. Girls in HS want guys that are successful and not everyone can be a great athlete, national physics champion, have 1000 service hours and be awarded by the mayor, etc. I'll be frank. Personality is only a part of the equation. Most of my friends that are top students have successful dating lives, while the guys with great personalities but not the smarts/athletic skills are not doing very well. Also, the idea that grades don't matter is a myth. If a guy has a 5.0, a 2300 SAT and major ECs, and is relatively decent looking, it will be easy for him to get a girlfriend. Girls want successful guys because it gives them a sense of security.
For Girls: The thing that really P.O guys a lot are teenage hissy fits. Guys want girls that are intelligent but not overly bearing. (I.e. we really don't want to hear about your 2390 being one point off LOL). Also, again, I will be blunt. Looks matter. If your overweight, have acne, etc. dating will be MUCH harder, especially if your area is higher income where the general pop. is generally more weight conscious. Also, guys like girls that are reliable and level-headed. A sense of humor is also important, but so is a steady head in the face of problems. </p>

<p>Also, if you want to read my stats, here's the link (I'm not asking you to "chance" me or anything). They're here just to give you an idea of where my ideas are coming from. </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/833146-what-my-chances-usc-standard-ucs-chance-back-if-asked.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/833146-what-my-chances-usc-standard-ucs-chance-back-if-asked.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Note: My Jan. SAT score wasn't better so ignore that. Also, I won a bronze medal at aca deca in the interview potion (overall medal; not by division). </p>

<p>Good luck to everyone!</p>

<p>If you have any questions that you can't ask in the forum, feel free to PM me. </p>

<p>-golfer3</p>

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<p>What kind of high school do you GO to?</p>

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<p>I go to a top HS where everyone is very concerned about academics. (i.e. many parents are more concerned about the SAT than drug/alcohol use LOL). Also, our school districts reputation is a major selling point in our community. I’m not saying all 2300+ scorers date supermodels, but if they have good social skills and are somewhat decent looking, many do. The problem, though is that many top students are too busy to date so that’s why they seem “nerdy.”</p>

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<p>This thread is a complete waste of time. All that you said is pretty much known, unless farfetched like amakov pointed out.</p>

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<p>I’m simply posting my opinion and giving some tips. Also, many people do not know some of the things I have stated. I’m not saying I’m an expert in admissions, but I’m just trying to help some people out by not making the same mistakes I made.</p>

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<p>These truisms are based on results you’ve not yet received? I’d wait a while and look back at the whole process before making such broad statements.</p>

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<p>I have a secret hook that may get me into top schools but I prefer not to say on a forum. While the college stuff may be preliminary, much of it is based on past college admissions results. I will update this thread once I receive my decisions. So far, it’s 3/3 but 2 are safeties.</p>

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<p>I cringe at how sad that is.
And how about doing things you’re passionate about, and letting your life speak? Joining 3 clubs just to be president of one isn’t getting you into college. And if AP’s matter so much, why is my close friend with 2’s and 3’s on AP’s (but amazing grades and no hooks) going to Yale? And that’s not an anomaly at my school. Maybe that’s just how college results at your school are.</p>

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<p>Oh MY God. That is hugely sexist and not even remotely true. In many professions (politics, business, law, medicine) being a female may still hurt you and prevent you from gaining respect until you “prove yourself.” Because of this, going to an Ivy (if it’s important at all) would be just as important for women as for men. Also, you should be aware that being attractive is NOT a way that professional women want to gain respect from their peers.</p>

<p>I recommend a Women’s Studies course when you get admitted to amazing colleges with your “horrible” 32 ACT.</p>

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<p>IMO, being a female today only hurts in strength intensive careers (i.e. military). Many women do very well nowadays in the jobs you mentioned. Also, I don’t agree with what I wrote. It’s just an observation and an opinion based on what I know.</p>

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<p>Wow, you’re a jaded, sexist, shallow, one dimensional individual. Congrats.</p>

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<p>^ LOL.</p>

<p>And the tensions rise each day as decisions draw nearer…</p>

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<p>hahhahhahaha let the flame war begin. I think you hang out with socially awkward people based on the fact that girls in your school consider grades when looking at guys. You’re also dumb for talking about gender. You are 17-18 years old and pretend you know about the working world. In your case, the saying holds: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”</p>

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<p>I’m asking the mods to lock this thread. I didn’t mean to start a flame war but that seems like what this thread will become. I simply stated some opinions and observations and a polite debate could have ensued.</p>

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<p>LOL, you know golfer3, you tend to start threads that get flamed a lot…</p>

<p>Just an observation. Actually, I think it’s a fact and/or evidence-based opinion.</p>

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<p>I like debates. I’m thinking about a career in politics/journalism so yeah LOL…but I don’t mean too, I just like to understand two sides of the story. As long as the debate is based on evidence, it’s a good debate, no matter the topic.</p>

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<p>golfer3, I think you should apologize because of your ignorant, sexist views.</p>

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<p>They aren’t my views. I’m just telling you what I believe is occurring based on the observations and experiences that I’ve had. I even said in my post I don’t agree with much of what I state.</p>

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<p>OK, no offense but…what the heck? You’re posting offensive things you don’t agree with but want to debate? This seems not only illogical but exceedingly annoying.</p>

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<p>this is ridiculous. Look, fine I’m sorry for all my bad viewpoints (even though I stated those weren’t my viewpoints). Please read the entire posts.</p>