<p>i agree that decisions are beyond stats and numbers. it’s the holistic package that BEST presents you as a person (the gift wrapping has to stand out) that matters.
for another matter, if anyone’s going to continue piling up stats, my GPA is 96.</p>
<p>In addition to the raw stats, stats in context matter. A 3.9+ at Lake Wobegone HS (where everyone, by definition, is above average) is probably not as impressive to adcoms as a 3.6+ at TJ (Thomas Jefferson, #1 public according to USNews), or even some of the NE private high schools. A Val from a high school class of <30 is just not the same as a Val in a high school class of 500 (according to Michelle Hernandez).</p>
<p>I wouldn’t neccessarily say that that is true. I think a 3.9+ at Lake Wobegone is more impressive than any other school in the nation.</p>
<p>Hahahha. Ugh guys. This thread makes me sad.</p>
<p>Most of us were probably qualified applicants. Only some get accepted. It’s a fact of life. Do I wish I had gotten a congratulations on Wednesday instead of a deferral? Of course. Would I rather be out celebrating (or just out in general) tonight instead of working on my supplements? Of course. But decisions are decisions, and that’s that. Everyone who got in was qualified in some way, shape, or form. It might be that they are an incredible athlete (I hear Dartmouth needs some of those!) or tried to save the world or simply had an excellent GPA and test scores. Many of us who didn’t get in were qualified (I hope…I guess we’ll see in RD) as well. Everything happens for a reason. I know that I love Dartmouth, but towards the end I had a little bit of cold feet and regretted a tiny bit not applying ED to Columbia or Brown or Wesleyan, all of which had been on the table before Dartmouth. I know another deferred EDer that had the same doubts about not holding out for Harvard. Everything happens for a reason.</p>
<p>I will say, however, that this year looks terrifying. I go to a very competitive public school that does very well in early admissions, usually, and only 2 out of 17 kids that applied to Ivies ED were accepted, which is awful. I’m contemplating putting in my call to Wesleyan for ED II on Monday, which I had only fleetingly considered before, and my friends at New York City private schools–the schools that parents pay 40,000 a year for simply to guarantee admission to top colleges from–are getting slaughtered in the ED round just as much as we are. They always said it would be bad, but I didn’t think it would be this bad. And now, back to my Cornell supplement.</p>
<p>Now I’m really done ranting. I promise. CONGRATS TO THOSE ACCEPTED AGAIN!!! I’m a little jealous. It’d be nice to know. But ultimately, we’re all going to be just fine.</p>
<p>NYC prep school kids do not have it easy in college admission, that’s not why we pay the money for them. These kid have been tested for admission, so you can figure at the top ones almost all have the scores for top colleges unless they’ve destroyed too many brain cells since being admitted (this does happen). </p>
<p>I will espouse what is not a popular view here: I agree that a strategy of applying to
Wes after an ivy deferral may be a good one. While indeed a few will get into Harvard that didn’t get into Dartmouth ED, let’s face it, in most cases that is unlikely.</p>
<p>There are lots of kids who hoped a lower than average SAT or GPA might be compensated for by what they deem great ECs or essays. I think the ED round often shows that isn’t going to happen. If Dartmouth wasn’t swayed to overlook, chances are their peer colleges also won’t be although there are exceptions.</p>
<p>It’s time for the deferred to take a close look at their statistical likelihood.</p>
<p>Meanwhile Wes is concerned with yield in these crazy days and knows it’s a backup for ivy applicants.</p>
<p>When my oldest applied I didn’t even consider that he should employ a strategy or risk not getting into any of his top choices, 8 years later with my youngest it’s what all the college counselors we know were suggesting.</p>
<p>hmon5,</p>
<p>What are you saying? </p>
<p>Your “tough love, you may not like to hear this but” messages are getting old. They may serve to make you feel better but I fail to see how they help people on this board. </p>
<p>Enough, please.</p>
<p>balletgirl, I’m writing this for my Mom, after reading your threads Mom passed along all last spring/summer, I voted you the #1 '12 I least wanted to meet. You thought you were speaking for our class. Not.</p>
<p>Mom asked if I knew you. Pretty sure I haven’t met you because you’re holed up on College Confidential!</p>
<p>Ugh balletgirl, just ugh!! Your pre college posts were, how shall I put it, boot inducing. You give '12’s a pathetic look.</p>
<p>Balletgirl, I’m sorry for the last post. DS has been banned from my computer for the duration of our vacation. I’m sorry you find my messages repetitive, I do believe in the advice I offer.</p>
<p>Deferred: original.peace: 2180/34, 4.0</p>