<p>I was just reading the Stanford SCEA thread (like 5000 posts!) and yeah i know we've still got around 20 days left to decisions but i'm freaking out here and they seemed to have this sort of mini community thing going and it seemed tranquil and relaxing and you make a few friends you know? So who's with me for starting this thing?
How bout we do intros first?
My names Ahmed Khalifa, im from Egypt, and I applied to a crapload of top-tier schools, its sort of a 'Bet Big or Go Home' philosophy, because my parents won't let me travel abroad for a second rate university when we've got a few decent ones here in Egypt. So if i get rejections all across the board, its AUC (American University in Cairo) for me, or maybe McGill (decisions for THAT any day now).
So umm yeah help relieve the stress?
Thanks loads !</p>
<p>Drugs will relieve the stress.</p>
<p>Or you could be excited for such an opportunity. I have the same go big or go home mentality. I’m from the United States, Kansas City to be exact, and I only applied to upper level schools. I shotgunned it with Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Washington University in St. Louis, and Emory. </p>
<p>Woohoo! I’m aiming big for April 1st.</p>
<p>Dang you guys sound crazy I have a few back up schools, just cant trust how erratic college admissions are.
What are your guys’ stats?</p>
<p>I’m not about to give my name or address out here on CC, but let it suffice to say that my town reeks of horse poo and suffers from an inferiority complex. I, too, applied to several big-name schools (and some not-so-good schools too) and am now facing the option of either attending a local Tier 4 school that I got accepted to or an Ivy I can’t afford. :(</p>
<p>On the schools that matter:</p>
<p>I’ve only heard back from Columbia (likely letter), am expecting a rejection from Georgetown, have my fingers crossed for Harvard, would sell a kidney for either University of Chicago or Princeton (pm me if you’re interested in buying), and have a few full rides to some crappy safeties. :o</p>
<p>To relieve the stress, I find walking on thumbtacks to be an excellent activity. Or do 5,000 sit-ups in a row, pass out, and wake up the next morning and be unable to walk. That does wonders for stress relief. You know, those endorphins and all.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m waiting on Columbia (top choice) and the Gates Millennium scholarship, 16 days and probably 30 days, respectively. Between the two, my head will explode any day now with stress! </p>
<p>Only success can fail me now. Great song by Quasi.</p>
<p>haha ksarmand</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure if you got likely from Columbia you’ll get U of C.</p>
<p>^I sure hope so, 'cuz I have no intention of going to Columbia, which is in dangerously close proximity to my parents. I got rejected from all of my big scholarship competitions already and know I won’t be getting much aid (no Ivies [/sobs]), so at least I have a (somewhat) faraway school that I can attend at reasonable cost. </p>
<p>@Obstinate: congrats on being a finalist for Gates Millennium. Best of luck!</p>
<p>At tywish- </p>
<p>3.7/4.1 gpa, class rank 34/586, 33 ACT, 800 SAT USH, 790 SAT Chem, 690 Lit, National Merit Hispanic Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction</p>
<p>Activities:
FIRST Robotics-Freshman and Sophomore Years, served on team leadership committee, Sophomore year</p>
<p>Debate/Extemp/Congress-twice national qualifier in International Extemporaneous speaker, Conference Champion in Student Congress(parliamentary debate)</p>
<p>Employment-part time bookseller</p>
<p>Other pertinent info: First generation college student; Eliot Berkley Award for International Achievement, spent all of my summers either at nerd camp or prepping in debate and extemp</p>
<p>If only I had placed more importance on my grades…</p>
<p>@tywish:</p>
<p>97.6% UW /101.1% W, class rank 3/245 (:(), 2270 SAT, 800 USH, 790 Lit, 700 MathII (:(), National Achievement Scholar, National Merit commended, AP Scholar with Honor (like this counts for anything on CC =|)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Mock Trial President, Track Captain, Member of local Pit orchestra, ESL teacher, Model UN w/ a few awards at some bigger conferences, Jazz Band pianist, Choral pianist, Math fair (regional) medalist, Science Olympiad team member, Editor-in-Chief of paper, student council secretary, and a few others that I’m too lazy to list.</p>
<p>My summers were spent taking care of my sister and working at an academic summer camp in Harlem with a lovely 2 hour commute. My parents couldn’t afford summer camps/programs for me, I didn’t know about the free ones like TASP, I didn’t use the internet to find the programs when I should have, and our income (on paper, at least) disqualified us from a lot of the need-based scholarships given out to attend the summer programs. </p>
<p>I’m not a first generation college student, but I am an immigrant from Haiti. Maybe that will help me score some points?</p>
<p>^I’m sure you’ll do fine. You’re stats are very impressive especially academically. And the fact that you’re Haitian should give you a substantial edge in areas that seek diversity.</p>
<p>^Haha, I hope so. Worrying is just so fun to do, no? And it doesn’t help that my mother tells me every day, “You’re going to get rejected from some colleges. I dream about it all the time.” Thanks, Ma. -_-</p>
<p>That’s kinda harsh. Oh well, just imagine how great it will be to point out that those dreams are false.</p>
<p>:) I certainly hope I’ll be able to.</p>
<p>How important of a role do you think diversity plays? I’m from Egypt, and my SATS are at 2190, and SAT II’s Bio (eco) 760, Lit 740, Math II 770 Physics 730…I’m also planning on taking six APs. My GPA atm stands at 3.88 i think, and due to a major grading system revamp i now have TWO B’s on my mid year report :S
TOEFL 118 ibT if it helps.
We dont have many opportunities for significant national recognition at our school, but I’ve done a lot in the way of Best Delegate at several MUNs, do loads of regular, serious sports (but they’re individual sports like Scuba Diving and MMA so no national recognition there) and i play the drums… how does it look?</p>
<p>^I’m not sure exactly how big role diversity has, but I do know Columbia is one of the universities that views diversity with more importance. Outside of your background, I think you fare a good chance. You have strong academics and your experience in Model UN is noteworthy.</p>
<p>Everyone should view April 1st with optimism including you EgyptianHopeful.</p>
<p>If we did not get a likely letter does that mean that we are not getting accepted?</p>
<p>^ No. It can mean a couple of things. One, that the admissions committee hasn’t read your application yet. Two, that you aren’t in the key groups who need a likely letter when making a college decision, i.e. athletes who may sign with other schools. Or, third, that your application, while earning acceptance, wasn’t strong enough to merit the honor of a likely letter. </p>
<p>All hope isn’t lost. Just sit back and relax. April 1st is a long ways away;-)</p>
<p>Does anybody know how we are being notified if we got in or not?</p>
<p>^ Thanks dorime!</p>