revelation

Applying to College
1

<p>I don't know what exactly inspired this post. But over the past several months, I've taken numerous standardized tests, had many many intimidating ivy interviews, tasted both success and disappointment in the scholarship field, learned how to wait for a potentially life-changing decision for an eternity, and (needless to say) perused this site almost nightly. </p>

<p>And, after all of that, and after taking 84823782934 AP courses, missing just one question on my SAT, and basically working my ass off for the past four years, I've realized that i'd probably be happy at my "safety" school. The one I once swore I'd never go to. </p>

<p>Looking through this site now saddens me. Sometimes, it seems as if students are doing SO much to get into HYPS that they never stop and think a moment about if they truly want to be there.</p>

<p>Perhaps my newfound love for my safety school is a defense mechanism of some sort. Inevitably, I will not be accepted to many of the Ivies and other schools that I applied to. However, I feel like I'd be letting a lot of people down if I don't go to a reputable school. I'm valedictorian of my class, and many assume that I'll be going to HYPS in the fall.</p>

<p>I can handle rejection. Perhaps I'll even welcome rejection. It will make my decision so much easier. But I can't handle disappointing my teachers, parents, etc, as terrible and weak as that sounds. </p>

<p>Does anybody feel the same way as I do?</p>

2

<p>You only missed one question on the SAT? I hate you.</p>

<p>But seriously, yeah I often feel really frustrated with the entire educational system. The bureaucracy, undue and detrimental focus on competiveness, requirement of unique and brilliant, if not eccentric at times, students to conform to a preset mold of what a student “should be.” </p>

<p>The AP Program, and essentially all of CEEB for that matter, is hopelessly corrupt and diverts attention away from what is truly important in life. Standardized testing is a masked method, as unintentional as it may be although I maintain it is not, of telling children who is good enough and who is not.</p>

<p>The amount of homework given is not only unwarranted and excessive but also creates an illusive misrepresentation of what being a teenager, a child, and a person is actually about. It tragically disallows students from exploring their passions, their imagination, and what life has to offer, as do the increasingly mandatory nature of extracurriculars which kids like myself perceive as undesirable aside from their value on a college application.</p>

<p>And that’s why, yes, I can see why you were so deeply disturbed by your unquestioning willingness to play CEEB’s and the educational system’s game. It’s really upsetting, how many kids don’t know any better and they don’t play it and then they’re screwed. And those who do play it, much like you and myself, then wonder if we’ve sold our souls, in a sense, for something we’re not even sure if or why we want.</p>

<p>If you’re interested, I dedicated a group on facebook solely to this cause, and I’ve really been trying to get more members and spread the word. It’s called People Advocating for the Fair Treatment of Students (PAFTS).</p>

3

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<p>That’s how the world works. Being brilliant and unique doesn’t by itself get you anything; if you can’t conform to expectations, then you don’t get far in life. Your dislike of this isn’t a flaw in the educational system.</p>

4

<p>mnkydance, I feel exactly the same way that you do. I was rejected by Stanford REA in December and though I anxiously await the arrival of April 1st, I’ve realized that Stanford’s rejection may be the best thing that ever happened to me. Since then I have had the same revelation–that in the long run, going to HYPS over a good state college or even a community college does not define you. You can grow up to be successful and happy no matter what college you go to. Ultimately, I think kids get infatuated with HYPS for the same reasons people like to carry Coach purses or wear the most expensive suits–because it’s a name brand and it makes them feel like they are better than the others. I know I (and you and everyone else) will end up at a college where we will be happy and will experience a great four years. Thanks for this post…it’s so true.</p>

5

<p>Accepting tradition to counter what I said isn’t in and of itself a valid rebuttle as far as I’m concerned. As in, MLK Jr. didn’t give up his efforts because that’s the way it had always been. People need to work to correct flaws instead of justifying there inaction by mindlessly offering the statement “live with it.”</p>

6

<p>That the world requires you to consider what other people expect is not a flaw. That getting in the top schools requires hard work is not unfair. If you feel so entitled that you think these things are analogous to what MLK fought against, the problem lies with you.</p>

7

<p>I wasn’t suggesting they were analogous to the things he fought against, at all. Seriously, like of course not. I was using that metaphor in the sense that it’s important to acknowledge the possibility of change instead of instantly dismissing the notion that the flaw may be not in that change but in the traditional practice.</p>

<p>Of course hard work is critical. And, of course in many instances it’s essential not to be ignorant of the expectations of others. However, the current structure provides almost no guidance to the young minds who may be unable (because of resources, environment, whatever) to understand these concepts. Because, let’s be honest, kids are ignorant! I’m ignorant, I admit it, probably half of the things I think about life are entirely misguided and wrong. And that’s part of growing up I suppose. But, I will not accept the mindset that it’s ok to give up on the kids who haven’t found how to work there way through life yet and have no one to tell them how to do so. The logic of this lies in the proof that there are few rags to riches stories, but many riches to continual riches stories. And I think we can do better than that.</p>

8

<p>And, I would like to say, I would like to say that although hard work is important, there is considerable evidence and various arguments that suggest the level of homework does have a negative impact (not so much in high school, more in the younger grades), does little to advance test scores, sense of discipline, etc., and is at times unnecessarily excessive and in some instances a total waste of time.</p>

9

<p>no homework please</p>