Some portions of my essays were fabricated.. need help?

Applying to College
1

<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 a 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>

2

<p>Just pick the school you like best and attend.</p>

<p>You have two years of core curriculum/general education for a reason. You will be exposed to so many fields, you will likely have many thoughts of what you want to do with your life.</p>

3

<p>UChicago has the most extensive core out of those schools, so that might be helpful in figuring stuff out. but these are all amazing congrats!!!</p>

4

<p>This is one thing I love about Brown–even if you do not have a direct career path, it allows you to engage in the “shopping period” and to study what you want as a result of the flexible curriculum. At Brown, you could essentially ‘find’ what you want to do.</p>

<p>Note: I do not attend, but I have educated myself about practically every facet of Brown (I aspire to go there) and I have friends who attend.</p>

5

<p>The “what do you want to major in” essay is generally not a contract binding you to a particular course of study; it simply shows the Admissions people that you can write coherently, and that you’ve researched the school. A few schools do accept students to very specific programs, e.g., pre-pharmacy, and make it very difficult to switch out, but your choices don’t include such schools. So don’t fret. Many, many bright students seem omnicompetent in high school and learn what they really excel at only when they are in a community of intellectual equals. Take a broad range of courses your first couple of years, including subjects that aren’t offered at the high school level. Notice what you are good at and enjoy; if you are in challenging courses, it won’t be everything. Then figure out how to make a career out of your talents.</p>

6

<p>I am not really looking for help deciding between the colleges (I have strong feelings for one already - all things being equal) unless it pertains to a particular field of study and a resulting profession that would be maximized by attending that particular school.</p>

<p>Basically I have been told for a year that I should be selecting a school by its reputation in your field of study. I have no field of study or program of interest. So if you had a blank slate with these schools, what would be your program of interest and which school would be best to advance these academic and professional aspirations.</p>

<p>What I am looking for is possible professions and the best school/major pathways to get there?</p>

7

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</p>

<p>LOL, I disagree 100%, that was awesome!</p>

<p>This one’s not even close. I agree with those that say pick UChicago and feast on their Core. It will train your mind like no other school will. </p>

<p>Then tell your parents you’ll study economics and become an investment banker or whatever they need to hear to pay your way. </p>

<p>Then read
[Federal</a> Bureau of Investigation](<a href=“http://www.fbijobs.gov/111.asp]Federal”>http://www.fbijobs.gov/111.asp)</p>

8

<p>^Thanks for the link. Although little bummed to learn would need three years professional experience before applying. </p>

<p>Well, I didnt want to bias the field of study or professional recommendations by narrowing my college choices already but I have no idea why U Chicago accepted me. Based on my visit, interview, and the picture painted there (and on these forums) of “who is the U Chicago student?” - I figure it must have been a puter foul up - because I did not recognize myself - I am fairly certain I am not of U Chicago material.</p>

9

<p>who knows why colleges do anything…</p>

10

<p>Try reading Cal Newport’s blog Study Hacks. His big shtick is that you won’t magically stumble into a passion; rather, a passion is something that develops after a long period of hard work in that area.</p>

11

<p>^Actually I believe I have read several of his pieces when I was applying. Something about choosing/deveoping an EC that an adcom can’t easily visualize themselves doing?</p>

<p>Unless my band is miraculously discovered or I can grow 3 inches and the pro beach volleyball federation returns from it’s recent collapse - Im not all that confident that I am going to have a passion for my work (at least I can’t imagine currently). Passion for friends, family, life, a big yes though. I am just hoping to find a career that is stimulating intellectually and rewarding financially.</p>

<p>Perhaps it was too personal to ask for people to share their academic paths and career goals. I wlll just need to do some serious research into career opportunities over the next few months (years?), and with luck will stumble upon somthing I can visualize.</p>

<p>So if field of study is not a critical component for college selection then I suppose all I have left to do is pick a school.</p>