<p>At my smaller Catholic school in Wisconsin, not many people go to selective schools...the val is going to Madison...and most just go into the UW system or some private small schools in the midwest...anyway, this year some of my friends have already told people that they are applying to Brown, Yale, Stanford, etc, etc, etc. One was openly talking to the GC about applying early to Yale...she's got good grades but is nowhere near the tip top of the class and is trying to take her SAT again b/c she didn't do that well. Another girl who asked a teacher for a rec (the same teacher who's writing mine) told her she was looking at WUSTL and the teacher sort of went "OOOHH, wow." but in a way that made it seem like it was such a reach and "good luck with that", you know? My point is, I haven't told my GC or teacher that I know EXACTLY where I want to apply...my GC knows I have toured some selective schools and really like them, like Notre Dame, Penn, Georgetown, etc. but I'm a bit timid dropping the H bomb, Yale bomb, or w/e to her. I feel like she'll think I'm applying to too many reaches or ones wayy out of my league, yet I'm ranked #2 in my class. Also, the teacher writing my rec obviously doesn't know my rank or how I have done on standerdized tests and such b/c she said I could give her that info a bit later...if she was surprised this one girl was applying to WUSTL, what is she going to think about me and Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, etc?!?! I feel like such a dweeb asking this, but what should I do? I have reaches and am a driven student...its just that not a lot of kids in my school ever even apply to those schools so I feel like they will think I'm cocky, underqualified and wasting my time, etc. Any suggestions for telling them? Any support?</p>
<p>Just go for it - don't be ashamed of where you're applying. Yeah, it's intimidating, but I don't see how someone else's reaction should prevent you from your goals.</p>
<p>i agree with tony: you just have to go for it. their reactions do not automatically make you less of a good candidate for that school. show that you're driven and and that you want this, and ignore any "astonished" reactions or whatever.
where you choose to apply is more important than what a particular teacher thinks of it. it's your life thats going to change, not the teacher's or the GC.
good luck, you can do it=)</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement. The only thing that makes me timid is that the GC and teacher are the ones who are writing my recs. They both like me a lot and I just don't want them to look at me any differently before they write the rec. letters...I don't want to seem like some cocky snob who thinks the local schools aren't good enough for me...I just happen to love a lot of reach schools. Anyone else ever feel this way or had an experience that you'd be willing to share. Thanks again.</p>
<p>It is great that you are a motivated kid. Examine your reasons for wanting to apply to these schools and see if you can articulate them to the GC and teachers. You shouldn't have any problems getting them in your court, good luck.</p>
<p>That's a good idea, collegemom. If I can defend why I want to go to the University of XYZ, I won't look like a prestige junkie, which I'm not, to any teachers/friends/GC. Thanks.</p>
<p>as a hs student, you shouldn't worry about what they think. they are most likely IMPRESSED not like ashamed/surprised. if anything, a student that gets into even ONE of those schools will be impressive to 99% of people not on CC</p>
<p>I agree with Anon<em>Person</em>1. I'm guessing that you misinterpreted the teacher. I've attended 2 separate high schools and teachers are impressed if you are applying to top notch schools, not condescending.</p>
<p>Yea...they would be impressed. I don't see any reason why you should be ashamed of where you're applying anyway...</p>
<p>Absolutely go for it. Its really none of their business although their job is to help you through the process and make sure you have some safeties on that list. My D has been in a similar position as our Dir of CC is quite opinionated and has no trouble saying, "you'll never get in there" when really, how does she know? That really makes a student feel just GREAT. And she has been wrong more than once. So, make sure you have a balance of schools and apply! They can only say no...but some might say yes..!!</p>
<p>This is my situation exactly. At my school, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, is applying to UGA. Not kidding. If you apply anywhere "better" than that [which is a lot, lol], it's a huuuge deal. People's jaws drop. It's.. ridiculous, but true.</p>