The Overachiever:What the (!@#$)?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>So its spring, I think.
This is the time when flowers bloom hormones rage and, yes, some people start applying for summer programs.</p>

<p>I was always against stuff like that, I always felt like summer should be a time to chill. But (thanks to CC) I decided to apply to a one week international relations conference here in VA. The application is standard: Teacher recs, extra currics, and an essay.</p>

<p>I happen to be applying to this conference with some kids from my school, so we all (as a laugh) compared essays. The kid I compared essays with drove me off the edge.</p>

<p>He's the greatest guy i've probably met (no homo); he volunteers with oldies, cares for babies at hospitals and is generally nice to everyone. But, he's the biggest overachiever I know.</p>

<p>His essay was something like this: I should be selected for this program because I always put effort into my work, and I always finish my tasks while the rest of my class complains. ( He used ME as an example, ME!)- " While working on a history project with my partner, I did all of the work while he was at a party." Hey, I clearly remember working with him on a project in history, but I remember the story slightly differently--</p>

<p>[ I called him up and invited him to the party]
" Dude, we've been working on this for three days, let's relax and have some fun."</p>

<p>" I'm feeling sick man, I'm gonna stay home, you go."</p>

<p>" Nah, If you're staying home, I say we finish the project."</p>

<p>" No seriously, Just go, we'll finish it tomorrow."
[ He finished it that night]
He didn't know I read his essay ( It was a pile of papers, and I just picked his up.), so I can't look him in his content face if he gets accepted into this program, and I don't.</p>

<p>So discuss:
-Overachievers</p>

<h2>-Summer Programs</h2>

2

<p>Ah! Stress. I think I might apply to this one summer program, but I don't even know when the deadline is, and if it conflicts with this other, semi-mandatory program I'm in already. I also wanted to take precalc at the cc, but I would have to take it online, and it would still be pretty difficult to complete. I should be dealing with these conflicts during break, but blahh, too stressful.</p>

3

<p>Overachievers can be annoying, but, honestly, I don't see that essay getting him into the program.</p>

4

<p>That essay is likely to keep him from getting in.</p>

5

<p>In the long run, people who are untrustworthy don't make it very far.</p>

6

<p>ouch, what a "great guy"...well, what do you expect? people throw each other under the bus at all points to "get ahead". i agree that it isn't really a good essay to write anyway-it seems like there's nothing else he could have written about.</p>

<p>I'm applying to a summer program, right now, actually, but it's for the right reasons. I really do want to learn about the subjects and meet new people. BUT a ton of people in my school are just doing it "for apps". That annoys me so much! Get a backbone already!</p>

<p>incidentally, at my volunteering place, three girls from MY SCHOOL when asked, "Why are you volunteering here?" on the app said, "I need 20 hours of community service for my school". AGH! I can't even imagine writing that! (Though I should say one of them wrote "and helping old people is better than little kids")</p>

7

<p>Really qualified applicants shouldn't have to bad-mouth others to make themselves look good. I can't see how this essay will help his chances.</p>

8

<p>uhhhh, I'm definitely through with any and all application processes.</p>

<p>i'm going to relax and have fun during my last sumer of childhood!</p>

9

<p>Uh, just as when applicants to a college start cutting down other colleges ("I want to get into Yale because, unlike Harvard, it is a serious academic environment.") the interviewers get suspicious. Don't worry, his chances of being selected are lower :) People can generally pick up that applicants who use that sort of language are pretentious twats.</p>

<p>What impression do I get from reading that? He's a self-gratifying over-aciever with no life who feels as though he deserves to be selected because he shuns 'having a life'.</p>

10

<p>ew, what a sucky essay. </p>

<p>He better hope he learns how to write a better essay come time for college applications.</p>

11

<p>Did he mention your name or did he just say 'my friend'?</p>

12

<p>Less tears, more gears.</p>

13

<p>I don't think he'll get into the program with that essay. The way you put it, he sounds arrogant and smart-alecky.</p>

14

<p>i wouldn't want to attend a program with him.</p>

15

<p>um ewwwwwwwwwwwwww</p>

<p>btw for some people, a challenging summer program IS the best form of a "fun" summer!</p>

16

<p>
[quote]
He better hope he learns how to write a better essay come time for college applications.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
i wouldn't want to attend a program with him.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That pretty much sums it up.</p>

17

<p>If he gets in and you don't, it'll be DESPITE the essay and not because of it. So if that happens don't get all bitter about the essay ^^</p>

18

<p>What a *****, confront him. He'll be embarrassed, teach him...</p>

<p>But I can relate to that essay.
I remember, I had this project...and I wanted to meet to do it, then no one wanted to...and I got REALLY <strong><em>ed.
one kid, felt bad...so he was like...you need help?
and I was super *</em></strong>ed already, so I was just like 'no...it's ok'
I'm one of those people who say whos not mad but are...liek I was just like 'ok...I'll do it'...and I was sooo ***ed, I finished it that night...it was this real hard project too. I had to make a roller coaster...It was super awesome...
and then they have the freaking nerve to say 'I didn't let them do it' i did too, they were to freaking lazy...I could still hit everyone of my group members to this day (except one, who offered to help)....argh!!! ours was the best...and I told the teacher I did everything but she didn't hit their grades too bad.
but...
confront him...I would</p>

19

<p>The guy sounds like a jerk. Over achivers can be realy anoying. I woud not want to go to a summer program with him, but that essay sounded weak.</p>

20

<p>With that kind of attitude, this kid's not getting in. I used to be an overachiever kind of like him. However, since sophomore year, I've really also tried to have a fun life. My grades aren't as high as they once were, but who cares?</p>