<p>Ok, I’m going to rant about a friend of mine who got waitlisted today from her first choice school, SUNY Geneseo. She does not have the best GPA, like a 83 UW or so, but has a 1320 SAT, has taken all APs at my school except 1, took a 300 level poli sci course at Colgate and got a B, does all this extra-curricular stuff, and all that, but above all, is just a girl who really has a lot of potential, and now, is starting to realize it. Like, she can get going about, say, the World Bank, and actually have an informed opinion, and she got waitlisted. Now, SUNY Geno is not a bad school, so that might have been excusable except… </p>
<p>Two guys in my class got in. Both of them have similar GPAs, neither took any APs, and both got lower SATs (1180 and 1220). The catch: one has connections up the wazoo. He expects to get into Cornell. He doesn’t hope. He expects. The other…we’re not sure about. He’s hispanic, but is that really enough? Both of these guys have coasted their way through high school, and their transcripts should show that. </p>
<p>I know college admissions is a risky game, but this seems really unfair, and it sucks.</p>
<p>There have always been kids that "know someone", parents gave money, or get in because they can only admit so many, and then there's a cut off. A few minorities with good grades don't effect the whole admission process and helps diverisity.I don't think you should be suspicious if the person isn't white.Your friend might of been one that fell throught he cracks.One article I read and I wish I could remember what newspaper,(N.York) discussed with an admission officer how they decipered all the applications. I remember him saying that it was hard, but that they weren't stupid. They know when a kid is padding his application with things he doesn't like, but thinks will look good. They know some kids take a sport they don't like to "have one". What he found the most interesting were the kids that were passionate about something and put effort in it. Another thing the admission office said was that they knew that kids of affluent parents had or could of had, a LOT of help with private schools, tutors, expensive test preps and $$$$ spent on fancy camps,etc. He personally weighed the scores of a kid who couldn't have that and would admit a kid with lower scores but decent grades and other involvment. Sometimes when the kids would compare stats, they wouldn't understand how someone could get in a school and not them. It's never cut and dry and it's never really "fair". You try your best and pray.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know it's not fair, and I'm sure to adcoms it seems like the right decision. And don't get me wrong, all 3 of these people are my friends. It's just, knowing all three of them, there is no question about who is smartest and who will be a credit to the school. I guess it's all just how you make it appear on your application. Honestly though, if the adcoms thought they were admitting motivated kids, then either they are just bad at their job or the process is flawed.</p>
<p>I agree. I've know kids that put hardly any effort in school but because of sports or some reason I couldn't fathom, got a slot at a school that someone else seemed better suited to. It's frustrating and in some ways a crap shoot, but you can't take it personally.(although I would) We all turn into numbers instead of people and you have to keep it in perspective. Good Luck to you.</p>
<p>nepotism drives me crazy. but it happens. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>By the way Rabo, I am glad you posted this. A lot of people who don't get 1400s can be somewhat looked down upon at my school. I got a 1350 which I soooooo worked my ass off for. And they wouldnt think twice about the unjust college admissions standards sometimes. </p>
<p>So, I must say, if I were to be accepted to Brown...I'm super glad I'll be classmates with people like you. :)</p>
<p>This whole process is seeming more and more arbitrary to me every day. I know people who have gotten into schools simply because their parents are wealthy and influential. I think this sort of favoritism does hurt truly genuine and gifted students because their seat has been taken away. </p>
<p>I also think that for most of us right now this wait is reall long and difficult because so many of our friendsa re already certain about where they are going (in m experience, many also flaunt it). I am feeling very uncertain right now and I just try to not think about it too much. Let's just see what happens. Sorry for the rant, I needed to vent.</p>
<p>I know so many of my friends who did not apply to as selective schools as I am and already know where they are going to attend. It is one of the most annoying things. Especially since many kids know I applied early to a school and I was deferred it just adds insult to injury.</p>
<p>I hear ya :(</p>
<p>Deferred University, '09</p>
<p>This girl in my school got into Cornell ED this year. She takes 1 honors or AP class per year (whereas the rest of us tend to drown in honors/AP classes), but her dad conveniently sent Cornell a big, fat check this summer. Ok, I'll be nice. I'm sure she had many things going for her, but that huge donation really didn't hurt, did it?</p>
<p>Argh! It really undermines what we all have accomplished. Even worse, applicants like her take spots away from people who have worked their butts off to get in.</p>
<p>slicm- just curious, where were you deferred?</p>
<p>(Gotcha)</p>
<p>I don't know about you guys, but it seems to me that Harvard's reputation is becoming continually tarnished... myabe it's headed downhill altogether?</p>
<p>In geologic time: the end of the Harvadician era and the beginning of the Browneozoic.</p>
<p>lol I love it!
I wish it were so but Harvard seems as popular as ever.</p>
<p>shhh don't say anything about Harvard...you'll awaken Byerly!</p>
<p>kidding, kidding!!</p>
<p>but yeah, Harvard has gone down in my opinion when I found out that they didn't focus nearly as much on undergraduates as they did on graduate students...or, for example, as Dartmouth focuses on Harvard.</p>
<p>plus when we went to visit, the campus was swarming with TOURISTS. people who aren't even applying. i think that would get tiresome after a while...</p>
<p>LMAO!</p>
<p>tourist child: look mommy! a harvard student! I want one i want one!
tourist parent: only when you're older dear
tourist child: ahhh shucks. <em>puts away leash</em></p>
<p>Sign: Don't Feed the Animals.</p>
<p>Ok, enough imagery</p>
<p>not that i have a bias against harvard or anything. such an image would pop into my head for any tourist attraction school ^_^</p>
<p>hahah that is great, spiked!</p>