Some portions of my essays were fabricated – need help?

Parent Cafe
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<p>Alright, the admissions lottery was kind, and I went 5/5 for the Top 12 schools to which I applied (all hail the admission gods).</p>

<h2>Accepted</h2>

<p>Brown (parents suggestion)
Northwestern (excited – was worried)
U Penn (father legacy)
Dartmouth (grandfather legacy – although forgot to included on ap)
U Chicago (even though I didn’t apply, they solicited an ap after the Jan 1st – was weird -- and gave a week extension – so what the hell?)</p>

<p>I have been commanded to choose. To me the decision seems pretty straightforward but to make a convincing case to my parents (footing the bill) I believe I will need to consider more adult concerns: Like career goals.</p>

<h2>The Dilemma</h2>

<p>Herein lies the dilemma. I am not proud, but some portions of my essays were fabricated. I chose the fields/majors/programs for which I was applying to these schools based on one criterion: whether or not I could construct from thin air a reasonably convincing case for why I was interested and why X school was important to this pursuit - so basically complete BS. And where does that leave me now?</p>

<p>I have/had NEVER given one minute of thought to what I wanted to do academically or professionally. I don’t understand when people have time to think about these things? I participate in 2 rigorous varsity sport seasons, club sports the rest of year, along with volunteer work, HS clubs, job, play guitar in a band, tutoring, 3.9 GPA (takes work/time), friends, girls (chicks, man) and I have a great family – life doesn’t suck.</p>

<p>90% of the programs and majors listed I have no idea what they involve or to what type of career they may lead? </p>

<p>I am hoping people will be willing to share their academic and career paths to provide some examples of what is possible for me?</p>

<h2>Things you should KNOW:</h2>

<p>I have been relatively successful in all sides of my academic pursuits (from Math to History, Spanish, to Chemistry, etc) – although writing is probably not my strong point and I am not an avid reader.</p>

<p>I am looking to participate in the whole college experience: social development, as well as academic. If this means only a 3.5 GPA, then I am okay with that (this should be considered for potential of grad programs)</p>

<p>Grad school is possible, perhaps even law school, but only if reasonably affordable and does not require a very high GPA in order to qualify.</p>

<p>Engineering, or programs that will completely envelop your life are not preferable.</p>

<p>I have strong interests, but would not describe myself as in love with learning. I still would rather be playing beach volleyball or playing guitar than hanging in a library.</p>

<p>I am interested in making a comfortable living that will allow me to enjoy as many opportunities as possible in life. (So this probably leaves out teaching ;)) But I am not willing to burn out getting the 3.9 needed for the Goldman Sachs trading desk or I-banking job. I am not cut-throat or money driven.</p>

<h2>What Should I Be When I Grow Up?</h2>

<p>The only suggestion I have heard recently that intrigued me was FBI agent (no idea what this involves – and would it be wrong to spend $250,000 to become one?). Half of the careers listing I have never heard of, and many I just never considered: physical therapist? pharmacist? Radiology tech? I basically only know the basics: Doctor, Lawyer, Baker, and Candlestick Maker</p>

<p>What reasonably well-paying jobs may be abundant in 4 years or 6 years for someone with a degree (with what double major)?</p>

<p>Can anyone who has been smart enough to give these things some thought, offer me a ROADMAP from one of my college options to a profession/career that will fit my profile above: </p>

<p>Any help is appreciated – I have purposely left out my interests so as to not limit the fields - I am open to any and all suggestions. Even if you just tell me what YOU want to study, why, and where you see it taking you?</p>

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<p>You might try doing some sort of aptitude and interest testing over the summer to give you some inspiration. You’re not alone in not having an absolute focus yet, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing (although I could quibble about the BS essays). I know a student counselor at a large state U who says that most kids go to school really only perceiving about 10 careers. Hopefully, a well rounded course load your freshman year will start focusing things.</p>

<p>Here’s the link for Johnson O’Connor, a good aptitude testing institution. Their theory is that you won’t have true job satisfaction unless you’re using your aptitudes at work. Of course there are other factors to consider, and you seem willing to look them in the eye (wanting your leisure time, etc.) so you should be fine there. </p>

<p>[Aptitude</a> Testing at the Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation](<a href=“http://www.jocrf.org%5DAptitude”>http://www.jocrf.org)</p>

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<p>^Very interested in the link you provided. Thank you.</p>

<p>I would also like to hear what you (or any parent kind enough to respond) studied, and what type of career that lead to (and what you might do differenty now)? </p>

<p>Or, if you have a daughter or son in school, what programs/majors are they studying and with an eye towards grad school or a particular profession? </p>

<p>I am so oblivious to the professional world (and really the academic world as well) so any insight is welcomed.</p>

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<p>

This is probably not all that far off from what many 18-year old high school students face. Some may think they know what a career involves and have a pretty good misunderstanding instead.</p>

<p>It seems to me that you can sort out what you want to be as you explore different fields while in college. You can also pursue quite a variety of different fields at any of the colleges on your list.</p>

<p>What is it that you are trying to convince your parents of? That one of those schools is better than the other for a career you haven’t yet identified?</p>

<p>If you and your parents are both already convinced that you are going go college, you can choose on some other basis than “what you want to be when you grow up.”</p>

<p>And figure that out later. It does not have to be done in the next three months, let alone in the next 30 days before you send in your enrollment deposit.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>You might want to research the classic 16 personality types. (When you google “Personality Types”, check the first match that comes up. ) </p>

<p>My son had no idea which way he wanted to go either but a book I had borrowed from our library on this topic gave him a little bit of insight into himself. The book different scenarios and you had to determine how you would feel/act/handle each situation in order to help determine your personality type. </p>

<p>Once you identify your type, you can determine what the strengths, weaknesses, and possible career paths to consider. Even if it doesn’t help you find what you want, it may help you find what you DON’T want. </p>

<p>It’s not the be-all-end-all but it might at least give you a general, honest assessment of yourself and at least set you in a direction. </p>

<p>Best of luck to you and congrats on doing so well in the admissions lottery.</p>

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<p>I agree that while many college kids “think” they might know what they want to do when they grow up far fewer actually go deep into the college experience with single minded pursuit of a particular major with blinders. I certainly couldn’t give MY kids roadmap so certainly can’t give you a roadmap. If all your colleges are equal pick the one that intrigues you the most, fits you the most and appeals to you the most and life take its course…I guarantee you there will be a professor, or a student or something along the way that will inspire you…and inspiration will open your eyes to the future not B/W ink on paper or an e-mail from the college…especially if cost is not a factor.</p>

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<p>^I hope this is the case. I tend to be a planner but I guess the concensus is to wing it. So, if field of study is not a critical component for college selection then all I have left to do is pick a school. Considering my admission notification from Northwestern was the only one that gave me butterflies, it’s off to the shores of Lake Michigan! </p>

<p>I intend to send the deposit quickly as they are sure to discover their mixup shortly (all those receiving their rejection notices at my HS were better qualified than I).</p>

<p>Thank you all for you input.</p>

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<p>I am a bit confused. Did you fabricate stuff about your record or activities for these applications or did you just make up some stuff about what you thought you might be interested in studying?</p>

<p>If it’s the latter, then I wouldn’t worry at all. Even if you hadn’t made this up, kids change their minds all the time about what they want to study. I would imagine that the college admitted you on the basis of your record and accomplishments, and if your essays had anything to do with it, I would imagine it was based on the way you think and how you expressed your ideas, not just the specific reasons you provided. </p>

<p>I think you’re being a little hard on yourself in calling this deceitful. I’m sure that alot of kids answered their “Why this school” or other similar essays with pulling alot out of think air!</p>

<p>Enjoy school and your career options will get figured out, and you might even change your mind about that over various points in your life.</p>

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<p>I agree ^^^
If school A had a great astronomy department and you told them in your application that you were interested in astronomy and school B had a great biology department and you told them in your application that you were interested in biology, you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself - and if you choose school B, you aren’t obligated to major in biology.</p>

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<p>My daughter changed her major throughout the application process. It had nothing to do with the schools; she just kept changing her mind. You did things a bit differently, but it would look the same to someone observing.</p>

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<p>There is absolutely no way a person your age needs to know what s/he will be when s/he grows up. Some people do, some people think they do, and most people don’t. I think that schools ask you to indicate potential fields of interest in order to have a balanced class, but I would also think that they are fully aware of the fact that the years between 18-21 are full of huge changes. If you are saying that your essays were fabricated to indicate interests, then I would not necessarily call that fabrication. What drew me to your thread was the title, which, to me, implied that there were actual lies on your essays, which is a different matter. Did you actually lie? If so, that’s a problem. If you were simply dreaming, then I would not call that a problem at all. Good luck with your choices; they are really good ones. You’ll do fine at any of them. Congratulations! Oh, and ease up on yourself a bit. ;)</p>

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<p>Wait a minute. Does this mean you really don’t like Chicken McNuggets?</p>