<p>@rsaxena: Debate or not, college is huge. Puts you on that pedestal. You dont need much effort from there. You can be successful otherwise too, but involves a lot more hard work. The choice is obvious. It’s like being offered a 2 second head start in a 100m dash.</p>
<p>And fake life experiences aren’t as easy to spot as you think. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.</p>
<p>I think that the American admissions process has the right goals in mind, and to be fair, works pretty well with the American schools. But for internationals, things like these get in the way. Authenticity issues. That way, I’d say the Indian entrances are way more straightforward - give an exam, get the cutoff, get in. There’s no two ways about it.</p>
<p>@Tippu: lol. World leaders. Case in point: Bush.</p>
<p>talking of fake life experiences one of my friend accidently checked the physically disabled while filling up jee form he had to cut his left hand to give his jee.</p>
<p>See, I think I’m a competitive applicant just the way I am. However, I see people around me twist and bend their words to exaggerate their lives in their essays. One of my friends who was born with a kidney disorder made it seem like he’s a medical marvel in his essay. Because he’s head boy, he made it seem like the school runs on his command. And trust me, you read that essay and you wouldnt be able to tell. </p>
<p>About Indian entrances, I agree one sole exam is not a good criteria. In the end though, you have to admit, exams are exams, be it the SAT or the joint entrances. Someone who has the potential to find the cure for cancer might not be able to get a 2000 in his SAT or qualifying marks in the joint entrances. Unfortunately, for him, his potential will probably be lost. Such is life.</p>
<p>I get that you’re just trying to give an example, but exaggeration of this sort won’t help him get into college. And indeed, exaggeration or twisting words rarely helps anybody. Despite your rant, essays are a fairly reliable tool. It’s not foolproof, but very few people can actually twist the entire system to their advantage. </p>
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<p>As you well know, scores of people who went to no-name colleges have become some of history’s greatest. Potential is not permanent, but most people who can cure cancer will ultimately cure cancer - it definitely does not hinge on either college or social status or any other criteria you set forth. Nature is immune to man’s devices, and if a person does really have talent, then he’ll do fine whether or not he went to a good college. I think guitarclassical was right- you need to have some faith somewhere.</p>
<p>To be very honest, which college you go to does not matter as much as you think it does. Most top colleges are more or less the same wrt resources at the undergeaduate level and seriously what really matters is WHAT you do once you’re there!</p>
Case in point: Bush.</p>