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<p>Really, that’s all that’s happening - nothing nefarious.</p>
<p>My point of saying that not all the “stats” are true was because other students and – on this thread – parents where starting to evaluate the strength of their own applications based on the high stats posted on the “Chance Me” section and feeling dejected. The comment would be true of any discussion board where anonymity rules.</p>
<p>This board does tend to create a environment where kids feel they have to keep up with the Jones. Those with lower stats but getting into to schools get accused of having hooks or taking “someone’s spot.” Certainly when many of us who gone through the BS process (as parents and students) try to promote the idea that stats aren’t everything and then it turns into a bruhaha about schools lowering their standards to let some unqualified kid in. </p>
<p>I can also understand why some people lurk and don’t post. Last year we saw our share of “my school is better than your school” playground fights among a few of the adults. </p>
<p>But mostly - PM’s are happening because there are real people, with real emotions, who need more than just a soundbite in terms of navigating through the process - even with the outcomes are good - without being subjected to scrutiny.</p>
<p>Like @DyerMaker said - when you have conversations with people using real emails, phone numbers and professional information, etc. then it breeds a certain level of confidence that people are who they say they are when posting information or advice here on the CC boards. </p>
<p>The bonus is, I’ve made some lifelong friends and reconnected with classmates as well.</p>