This site makes me want to kill myself

Applying to College
41

<p>Also, the school I'm going to IS the Harvard of my field. Harvard does not offer anything close to my major...:(</p>

<p>crazykids, you will be fine, even if you don't go to Harvard. Some "superkids" are not a super as you think.</p>

<p>Case in point- I had an arrogant, pompous friend who thought she was better than God. 4.25, valedictorian, 5's on all of the offered AP's, brilliant at maths (while I'm brilliant at the social sciences - hello left brain/ right brain)</p>

<p>But, with all of this academic strength, she had no social skills, no street smarts at all. I have a feeling that her essays and interviews were not, er stellar.</p>

<p>Rejected from every single ivy. Ended up at a good state school, were she had a bit of a life shock.</p>

<p>At my rich-kid school, there was much thought of this sort, though. In my class, I knew one kid who went to MIT (rather nice guy, actually). But no one went ivy, even when those very high stats were not atypical. </p>

<p>We all know that the ivies get an incredible number of applicants who are "flawless" like my friend. Honestly, how many kids are like that in America - I knew a couple dozen, just at my school. That is why they look beyond stats, and admit non-legacies with less than perfect stats - they also want dynamic personalities, not just drones who can do as they are told, but not think profoundly on their own. And they are right to do this.</p>

<p>Your stats <em>are</em> good crazykids, and you seem to be pretty level. Go for the ivies! They would rather have a SAT with a few questions wrong and an awesome, level student, rather than somebody who has been manufactured for college, but cannot passionately describe a dream.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

42

<p>I agree -- this site can drive you crazy. But there is lots of good advice if you can avoid the more manic threads. The best piece of advice, IMHO, is to look for the college that fits your goals. There are lots of terrific state schools that seem to get dismissed out of hand. However, these schools offer tremendous opportunities to motivated students, especially those who don't need their hands held through their undergraduate careers. If you need guidance once you get to college, I don't think state schools are for you. If you are self-motivated, then why not consider places like University of Illinois, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota?</p>

43

<p>sprigged,<br>
In support of your comments, I read that in 2003 there were 760 people who had 1600 on the SAT. (There are 1.2 graduating seniors each year.) Out of the 760, about 500 applied to Harvard and less than 300 were accepted. After a certain point with the gpa/rank and test scores, they don't care about it any more. You have to a hook in the essay with stellar EC's that support what you said in the essay.</p>

44

<p>less that 300 out of 500 is pretty damn good if you ask me.</p>

45

<p>An0nym0u5,
That's an interesting way of looking at it. I suppose that any group of 500 people who have that kind of success rate at Harvard are doing very well. The original point was the people who are among the top 0.06% of SAT takers do not even then have a lock on being accepted.</p>

46

<p>lol yeah i understood that.</p>

47

<p>Sprigged, where are you going?</p>

48

<p>Why?</p>

<p>Okay, forgive the cynic in me, but do you want to know in order to "rank" me?</p>

<p>If I'm wrong, forgive me. Either way, because there are nuts on the internet, I won't say more than this - It is the top school in my field, and it is VERY competitive private institution. It was my #1 choice, and I am extremely happy about my acceptance.</p>

49

<p>No, I don't do the whole "rankings" thing... I just wanted to know out of curiosity. Sorry if I offended you or came across as a "nut" or anything.</p>

50

<p>No ladylazarus, I don't think you are a nut! </p>

<p>I'm sorry, I wasn't clear - I meant the sort of people who lurk around sites like this and stalk people - I did not mean to imply you were a nut :)</p>

<p>I'm sorry I can't be more specific, for safety reasons. Please forgive my cynicism. :)</p>

51

<p>Don't worry about it;) good luck at your school!</p>

52

<p>lol yes half of CC is EVIL DEVIL SPAWN but the other half is ok ;) I'm glad this thread exists haha</p>

53

<p>Ugh, what are good SAT II's for very competitive schools; it's nerve wracking. I'm not talking HYPSM, but others--possibly low Ivy's and some liberal arts colleges. Would a score of a 670+ do it, or strictly above 750?</p>

54

<p>I don't really mind the people with all these high grades and stuff. Many schools are BS and ridiculously easy. Outside of the Northeast area and california, most school aren't that rigorous. But always, there are exceptions!</p>

55

<p>what bothers me is they way people act superior. not the numbers just sitting there</p>

56

<p>"what bothers me is they way people act superior. not the numbers just sitting there"</p>

<p>I could not agree more.</p>

57

<p>this is a great site. You have to learn to "filter" the opinions that you get. This is after all the INTERNET and somepeople are going to make dumb replies.</p>

<p>Also keep in mind the students with excellent stats are going to be the ones worried or resourceful enough to FIND an online forums to
post stats :)</p>

<p>The only thing I dont understand is this. People with 4.0, decent SAT,
ok EC's get replies saying that all her top schools are going to be major reaches.</p>

<p>Then people reply to me (bad gpa, good sat, good EC's) that I will have a good shot at many top schools.</p>

<p>Is this just because sat's and good ec's have a greater weight than gpa?!</p>

58

<p>I think once you get through the flaunting and such, there is some really great information and knowledge to be learned here from this small community.</p>