So Disappointed... I feel as though I won't get into any colleges! (*Genuine Thread*)

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>Thanks so much for viewing this thread :) I really do want to hear from you, but please do be considerate and understanding of my situation when you reply. I'm really looking for some helpful advice, not sarcasm or anything too condescending.</p>

<p>What I thought of myself
All my life I have considered myself to be highly intelligent, the best at school, highly motivated and academically focused. Unfortunately I never thought to make sure this was the case :( So basically, for the past 15 years I have been following the misconception that I am good at everything and now I have realised that I'm good at nothing. Yeah... it isn't a good feeling.</p>

<p>Background information
Ok, I am 15 years old, caucasian and a junior at a highly competitive international school in Indonesia. I absolutely love my school, but I have only been there ~4 months. I've attended ~13 schools and this is, by far, the best - everyone from the students, faculty to the facilities are outstanding and welcoming. It's just that it is such an academically focused school that I feel stupid. </p>

<p>Basically, I moved from Australia to Indonesia, changing to a different school system, making new friends, adjusting to new food/culture, having to learn a new language (although my school is in English), etc. and missed the first 5 weeks of the academic year. That was a challenge for me... basically I skipped sophomore and went straight into junior year, completing the International Baccalaureate Diploma (a rigorous college preparation programme) and missed the first 5 weeks of school. To put the icing on the cake, the school is extremely competitive (the last time someone graduated with a perfect 4.3 unweighed GPA was nine years ago) and I get the impression that some students would kill me if I got a better grade then them :(</p>

<p>Also, my school believes in grade deflation due to its stance on academic integrity. Thus, it is almost impossible to get a good grade. Even when subjects are weighed it is only a 0.5 weighing. These are things that I am still adjusting to... I like the strictness and high expectations (a 65% is a F, while a 95% is an A-, a 99.5% is A+ - there isn't exactly a pattern to the grading, but it is well defined). Everything we submit is scanned through Turnitin, and we can see our grades in every subject updated regularly through the school intranet. Furthermore, I receive around 6 - 8 hours of homework a night and it is common for students to only get 3 hours sleep on average and to pull 'all nighters'. I have never experienced so much work to do, after a 9 hour school day (we have 4 periods a day - 3 lectuers, 1 honor pass, NO breaks for lunch or recess) and I never have time to study for my subjects.</p>

<p>My problem
I use to think that I had good time management skills, but with so much homework I just do not have time to study (quite often I struggle to receive 2 hours sleep... I just can not give this up). I honestly can not enough time to pursue all my extra curriculars either. Not even on weekends, as I have school 6 days a week and have a hell of a lot of homework assigned every Sunday. We literally have 6 -11 hours of homework a day for December break.</p>

<p>At my old school, my school did not believe in grade inflation, but it didn't deflate grades either. I had A+'s in almost every subject. I am now at an amazing school, which I love, but the course load is so intense that I feel entirely stupid. I think I am coping fine with the work, its just that I worry about college admissions with my grades. I am now on B's and C's in almost every subject. Fortunately this is common at my school, (I am actually within the top 3 students in all my classes, except for 1), but I am concerned that being an international student my poor grades and GPA will be frowned upon (even if this is common at my school).</p>

<p>My school does send a lot of students to ivy league's, and Princeton is my dream school. But do I really stand any chance? These are my Q1 grades... I am actually humiliated to type them up - especially after almost weeping as I read the grades attained by other users on CC.</p>

<p>IB English HL A1 - A- (my best grade, rank 2/147)
IB History HL - C (worst subject, rank 15/32)
IB Business and Management HL - B+ (disappointed with this grade)
IB/AP Environmental Systems SL - B- (rank 2/124)
IB Indonesian Ab Initio SL (extremely difficult for me, not ranked)
IB Math SL - C (disappointing... rank 7/96)</p>

<p>Personally I do not consider my grades to be too poor, but I really wish they were better. Going from being an A student to getting B's and C's is really disheartening - even if this school is much more rigorous. </p>

<p>This school has placed so much pressure on me, if I <em>only</em> get 2000 on my SAT, the school council will "recommend [me] for expulsion" and if I get 2100 I will "likely be suspended for 7 days" which would put me even further behind in my studies. Already this year 6 students have had a perfect score of 2400 on their SATs, 2 had a perfect score on the ACTs and our school is ranked as the best performing IB world school for 10 years in a row since 1996. It's all this pressure to attain good grades that makes me feel ill when I think about it. I would also like to contribute to our school magazine, which is syndicated by Reuters, but I don't know if I can justify being expelled (or -- this isn't an official rule, but I could imagine it happening -- being sued for damages) if I submitted an article which contained a gramatical error.</p>

<p>I am committed to getting better grades next semester.. but I just don't know what I will do if they are worse. Honestly, do I stand a decent chance at getting into Princeton or Yale? I'm not looking at the Ivy's solely because of their name, but because I feel they offer the opportunites that I crave. I know that no one on here can predict my admission to a highly selective school, as too many overqualified students are deferred or rejected every year. But with my existing grades, that is like a GPA of 3.3 WEIGHED, will colleges even evaluate my application as a serious canditate? I just can't comprehend why my school can not be slightly more lenient with their grading.</p>

<p>I am not athletic. So that is yet another hurdle for me to overcome with admissions. I run my own market research business (I know you probably doubt its credibility... it is small but I have sold my 1st report to nearly 60 firms, including 4 Fortune 500), and I wrote a novel which is getting published so I am hoping these could be my 'hooks' to admission. Also, before I moved to Indonesia I did have a part-time job of 20 hours/week which I enjoyed, but I had to give that up. But are these really enough? I will have a lot of community service (150+ hours) as ECs but I have nothing athletic, have not won any national awards (there are none to enter), have not had the opportunity to attend summer schools (but then again, they are not common here so I do not no one who has), and have done nothing compared to what everyone else on CC has done. I cry at the thought that I may end up in community college just because I chose to attend this school (I selected it over another, easier school, solely because I wanted to complete the IB diploma). I also worry that I may do poorly on the 4 AP's that I am self studying.</p>

<p>To make it even worse, I can not exactly have 'safety schools' when I go to college because my parents have refused to pay my tuition. Despite coming from a privledged background, my parents believe that I should pay for college myself just like they did. So I have poor grades, am an international student, am not athletic.... what chance do I really stand at going to college in the USA? I was looking at the financial aid forms and what college in their right mind would give me aid - it isn't as though my parents can not afford college! I really do not want to tell the financial aid department that I require aid; despite having 4 maids, 2 chauffers, 1 chef, 4 security, living in an affluent neighbourhood in a mansion, my parents having two Mercedes and a BMW, attending a high school which is more expensive than most colleges (just over US$55,000/year), etc. I really do not fit the description of someone who needs aid.</p>

<p>So I just can not see how I can ever go to college. The reason I find the Ivy League's and other highly selective colleges so attractive is not solely because I feel as though I belong there (now that I feel stupid, this isn't exactly the reason), but because I feel as though I stand a chance at financial aid. Am I a lost cause? At school I am one of the few students who does not have tutors in every subject, have a $20,000 guidance counsellor or attend SAT review classes because I feel this is cheating (I would much rather develop this knowledge for myself, then being hand-fed by others) but I just do not know what to do with my life now. <strong>I am not considering suicide, that is stupid, so don't suggest it</strong> I really wish that there was a clearcut answer to my concerns, but deep down I know there isn't. I also have faith that the admissions officers at my dream colleges will see through my classmates "intellect" and realise that I am genuinely interested in attending their institutions. But how can I accomplish this?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for reading all of this, I realise it is incredibly long. I apologise immensely for the poor spelling, grammar and inconsistent style but I am unable to think straight at the moment with all this pressure. Typing this up and getting my thoughts out of my brain really does make me feel a bit better. I eagerly await your feedback and hope to discuss this over with this forum :D</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

2

<p>Going from a school where everything is easy (or at least fairly easy) to one where you have to work for every point is difficult. I'm sure that it feels like culture shock, excluding all of the other factors. Don't be so down on yourself for your grades--If you're at a very competitive school and even Ivies are aware of that, you won't be looked down upon, especially with your rank. You could also include a statement in your applications explaining all the details that caused your grades to drop, from switching schools to missing school to skipping a grade.</p>

<p>I do think that getting extra sleep would help. You'd be surprised how much better you'd feel after 6-8 hours rather than 2.</p>

<p>If you're worried about money, you might want to step down the prestige-level of the colleges that you're considering. If you're at the tippy-top of the applicant pool, you should get significant merit aid.</p>

<p>Don't worry so much; you're only 15. You've got a lot of time ahead of you.</p>

3

<p>When I submitted this thread, I was hoping for some genuine advice from other members. I did not expect members to send me Private Messages asking why I was submitting false threads. I can understand that some of you may doubt my thread, but please, I would rather not be abused by members on this forum. I have received 8 PM's recently, and only 1 sender was remotely polite in their message.</p>

<p>If you have some comments to make please make them publically in this thread. Hopefully this way you will treat me like you would any other person. And I really want some genuine advice, study tips, etc.</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

4

<p>Thank you for your reply, fireflyburning. I will definately consider your advice, but the only way that I can envision receiving more sleep is by skipping homework? I just can not justify doing this, as it will make my grades even worse.</p>

<p>I was unaware that I could include a statement with my application explaining my situation, is this something that I must have my counsellor complete? The main reason I am looking at the more selective colleges is due to financial aid; I just found that Williams offers good aid packages. Do you know if one could consider them a safety school?</p>

<p>Thanks again for your comments, they are appreciated.</p>

5

<p>If homework isn't a big part of your grade, don't put so much time and effort into it. If exams are, let's say 50% of your grade, and homework is only 10%, instead of doing all that homework, devote that time to studying for your exams. Seriously, getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night is NOT going to help your brain stay in shape. More sleep= more time for your brain to rest= performed brain functioning= better grades.</p>

<p>I don't think you should do IB AND AP though. Especially if you have so much work already. That's just way too much work. You'll have a break down (again). Don't try suicide. It's not the end of the world if you don't get into Princeton, Yale, or your other dream school. I mean, look at how many people are rejected. Top schools even reject those 2400/36/4.0 kids. Searching through the forum should come up with plenty of threads titled "I was rejected by my dream school!" or whatnot. And they're fine. How long can you dwell over a rejection? Long enough to not even try other schools? I think not.</p>

<p>As for the tuition cost, I think you should talk it out with your parents. Try to have them UNDERSTAND where you're coming from. Do they know that you're only getting 2 hours of sleep per night? Personally, I think that no good parent could watch their kid suffer through life like that. Do they know how much stress you're going through? That you are considering suicide? Talk to them. </p>

<p>Quote by Robert Frost: "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." </p>

<p>Chill.</p>

6

<p>wait, you get in trouble for "low" SAT scores?!?!?</p>

7

<p>Describe this in your essays and you're in everywhere. Good luck.</p>

<p>PS. I would rather accept someone who's highly ranked in a nightmarish school like that than someone who's freaking out over their (AAAAH) B- (!!!!).
PPS. Remember -- grades are not absolute and colleges know that.</p>

<p>PPPS. I re-read your post. It sounds like complete lie and BS to me now. Sorry, but without factual evidence you won't be treated seriously.</p>

8

<p>yeah I kind of agree with mr_chipset but if its true I wish you the best of luck, its hard but don't freak out your only 15, did you skip a grade? You said that you were a junior and normally thats sophomore at 15...im 16 and a senior but i skipped kindergarden and sixth grade so im not sure what you're situation there is</p>

9

<p>If you want to be considered slightly legit you have to answer the question, What school do you attend?</p>

<p>(and don't worry about others from your school finding this, if they stumble upon the thread they'll know it's you because of all of the classranks anyhow)</p>

<p>Just keep persevering.</p>

10

<p>You know, your post sounds like a complete lie.</p>

11

<p>Thank you everyone for your 'support'.</p>

<p>I am not going to name my high school publically, please PM me if you wish to know the high school that I attend. If it helps, my school is ranked 4th best world wide. Maybe I am paranoid but I know the repuccusions that would occur if my school found out that I posted this thread. Anyway send me a PM and I will tell you my school.</p>

<p>To be perfectly honest, I am surprised that so many people are doubting my thread and I have no idea why. It is definately genuine, and I assure you all that I would not have typed up such a long post if this was not true. After reading all the stories of A+ students on CC, I feel so disappointed with myself and I genuinely want your assistance to improve my grades, study techniques, etc.</p>

<p>I will try and answer your questions, so hopefully you can help me.</p>

<p>
[quote]
yeah I kind of agree with mr_chipset but if its true I wish you the best of luck, its hard but don't freak out your only 15, did you skip a grade? You said that you were a junior and normally thats sophomore at 15...im 16 and a senior but i skipped kindergarden and sixth grade so im not sure what you're situation there is

[/quote]

Sorry reblin, I thought that I answered this in my initial post. Yes I skipped sophomore year. I went from freshmen => junior (where I am completing the IB diploma, 4 AP's and trying to adjust to a new school... it probably wasn't the best transition possible, but I take full responsibility for wanting these courses).</p>

<p>
[quote]
You know, your post sounds like a complete lie.

[/quote]

[b[Snoopyiscool:**You see, your comments don't provide me with any insight. Why does it sound like a lie? What must I do to prove this is true? I really just want help from others and my situation, is, unfortunately genuine. Thank you for your understanding.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Describe this in your essays and you're in everywhere. Good luck.</p>

<p>PS. I would rather accept someone who's highly ranked in a nightmarish school like that than someone who's freaking out over their (AAAAH) B- (!!!!).
PPS. Remember -- grades are not absolute and colleges know that.</p>

<p>PPPS. I re-read your post. It sounds like complete lie and BS to me now. Sorry, but without factual evidence you won't be treated seriously.

[/quote]

Mr Chipset, thanks for your reply. I appreciate how you expanded upon why my thread sounds untrue - I am just not sure what factual evidence I must provide. Honestly I thought that if I came to CC I would get help from other members anonomously, not have to prove my case :( Or were you suggesting I need to prove this to colleges?</p>

<p>On another note, thank you for your other comments. I suppose I wanted someone else to agree with me -- I had been thinking that I need to describe this in my essays -- like you suggested, but I don't know now. Its just that I have so many different things that I want to discuss in my essays that I don't know what I should or what I shouldn't.</p>

<p>
[quote]
wait, you get in trouble for "low" SAT scores?!?!?

[/quote]

LizzieE:Yes. But to be fair to my school, it isn't only for SAT scores but for ACT, AP, IB examinations, etc. Basically any third-party exam that we undertake.</p>

<p>
[quote]
If homework isn't a big part of your grade, don't put so much time and effort into it. If exams are, let's say 50% of your grade, and homework is only 10%, instead of doing all that homework, devote that time to studying for your exams. Seriously, getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night is NOT going to help your brain stay in shape. More sleep= more time for your brain to rest= performed brain functioning= better grades.</p>

<p>I don't think you should do IB AND AP though. Especially if you have so much work already. That's just way too much work. You'll have a break down (again). Don't try suicide. It's not the end of the world if you don't get into Princeton, Yale, or your other dream school. I mean, look at how many people are rejected. Top schools even reject those 2400/36/4.0 kids. Searching through the forum should come up with plenty of threads titled "I was rejected by my dream school!" or whatnot. And they're fine. How long can you dwell over a rejection? Long enough to not even try other schools? I think not.</p>

<p>As for the tuition cost, I think you should talk it out with your parents. Try to have them UNDERSTAND where you're coming from. Do they know that you're only getting 2 hours of sleep per night? Personally, I think that no good parent could watch their kid suffer through life like that. Do they know how much stress you're going through? That you are considering suicide? Talk to them. </p>

<p>Quote by Robert Frost: "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." </p>

<p>Chill.

[/quote]

I really like that quote, extemporaneous! You have, by far, provided the best advice and I genuinely appreciate it.</p>

<p>Exams only contribute 20% of our grade, whilst homework represents approximately 64% in sciences & english and 15% in math, second languages and the humanities. The remaining percentage is comprised of pop quizzes, in-class unit tests and oral presentations. I don't have problems with homework -- except for perhaps the volume of work -- its more the exams, quizzes and unit tests that I struggle with. Particularly in History and Environmental Systems (in the past, Maths as well, but I have managed to develop study techniques for this).</p>

<p>I decided to self-study 4 AP's (although I may only take 3 examinations... I am not doing to well in one subject) as well as completing the IB diploma because I want colleges to see that I am a highly-motivated student, but moreso because I actually enjoy these AP's. I read recently that MIT said that AP's were not the most important thing that a student could complete (or something along those lines), but I am studying these to improve my general knowledge.</p>

<p>But the main reason I am applying to the most selective colleges is because they have the best chance of providing me with financial assistance. I have discussed it with my parents, and their attitude is we paid for college ourselves, so can you. :( Not even my school can understand their logic, and especially not my friends (although I have only 1 person, I am too embarrased to tell more people).</p>

<p>Once again, thanks extemporaneous for your feedback and advice.</p>

<p>And to the user who sent me a PM which stated:</p>

<p>
[quote]
why dont u kill yrself. u r such a failure go drink morphene yr life can end. trust me i scored 2400 on my sat

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I have chosen not to name you, but your immature and stupid comments are not appreciated. Please grow up and never condone such horrible behavior, such as suicide. Think about your actions - I am not suicidal, but if you sent that to someone who was, the outcome may have been devestating.</p>

<p>Thanks again to everyone for their replies. </p>

<p>:)</p>

12

<p>Since, as you've remarked, advice doesn't depend on truthfullness of your information, I will assume you're correct.
Then, if at least 90% of what you've described is true and you will prove it to colleges you shouldn't worry a bit about acceptance into decent college
Good luck!</p>

13

<p>I'm sorry that I didn't give you any advice, but I find what you have described utterly unbelievable. However, if it is, I am very sorry. </p>

<p>Just take it easy. Give up the classes that give you the most homework, and explain this all to colleges.</p>

<p>PS: Don't listen to CCers anymore. We represent perhaps .0001% of high schoolers, not the majority.</p>

14

<p>I have a question: Why are you going there? </p>

<p>It's not healthy for you and others. You need to start getting at least 7 hours of sleep. I am loaded with homework as well, but I get most of it finished during the weekends. You don't have to go to school on the weekends do you?</p>

<p>I agree with snoopy in that it is unbelievable. Drop out of some classes. You have a serious problem. I hope you can find a way out of it. My best advice is for you to go to a different school. The one you go to now is unacceptable. An Ivy League school isn't everything.</p>

15

<p>I also agree with Jman and snoopy: two hours a day, is not by the toughest standards acceptable amount of sleep. You should sleep as much as you need (for me it's 10 hours for example) and no school crap should interfer with it. It's good to get into Ivy, but your health is way more imporant.</p>

16

<p>What do your parents say about this? Do they just accept the fact that your school is depriving you of health, and, you know, life?</p>

17

<p>Uh, you know that the Ivy League cannot give merit-based scholarships, right? And if your parents' income is over a cutoff, you're ineligible for a lot of need-based aid as well, regardless of whether or not they're willing to pay.</p>

18

<p>How large is your school if people with 2000s on their SATs are recommended for expulsion? Do people fly from other countries to go there or something?</p>

19

<p>2000s expelled? What the hell.</p>

20

<p>^That's why I have a hard time believing this.</p>