<p>No matter what happens in Princeton admissions, just take from all of this that your writing and the way in which your self comes through is in some way inspirational to many and will serve you well. This is just one moment in a life. Yes, Princeton is wonderful. So are many other schools. And that I, Princeton advocate to the end, would tell you this in order to ensure that you have the right perspective and can somehow keep something of value from an anonymous Internet board no matter what your admissions outcome, well, that in itself says something.</p>
<p>Enjoy your life. Appreciate your talents. Relax. The things you believe will be difficult will be easy. The things you believe you understand will be mysterious. The surprises that bring you the most surpassing joy are not to be predicted. Pay attention to the details now so that you can remember them when your memory is no longer so great. Write a lot down.</p>
<p>Pat some dogs. Kiss some babies' cheeks. Breathe in some air shared by plants. All will be well and all manner of things will be well.</p>
<p>Alumother, you're right, of course. Thanks for the reminder. :) I'm prone to worrying too much in general, and the admissions process doesn't help... and it does feel a bit unsettling that I've become so attached to one school when I used to be so rational and always said I wouldn't pick favorites until decisions. I do like every school I'm applying to, and I'm sure I'll be happy wherever I end up, but-- [insert rationalization here].</p>
<p>I don't know. I guess worrying about not getting into Princeton (very likely) feels less overwhelming than worrying about not getting in *anywhere<a href="not%20so%20likely,%20I%20think,%20unless%20the%20international-applying-for-aid%20bit%20kills%20me">/i</a>, and it's less distressing than worrying about how I'll pay for the whole thing (I will, but only after I've received the financial aid packages), where the rest of my family will be moving this summer (Stockholm? Geneva? Mars?), if my parents will stay together, how my little sister will cope with the craziness when I'm not around, and so on. If I get into Princeton, I'll be extremely happy; if I don't, I'll be sad for a bit but probably end up happy regardless... the stakes are relatively low, and chances are it's still less stressful than any other thing I could've chosen to be neurotic about.</p>
<p>Aside from the emotional TMI, I was just curious. ;)</p>
<p>Wow, you seem like a very interesting person and your style of writing is gorgeous! It's depressing to see that even people like you are rejected at Princeton nowadays. However, I'm sure you'll succeed at and enjoy Dartmouth.</p>
<p>The adcoms will probably be impressed with your essays, but only in relation to the statements they receive from other seniors. You may be able to outwrite Typical Princeton Applicant, but that's not much of a distinction. </p>
<p>Do you get what I'm saying? Don't let CC kids inflate your ego -- be realistic. Again: are your statements more effectively written than what most Princeton applicants can be expected to submit? Okay, sure, that's a safe bet. Is your writing "gorgeous?" No -- it's closer to "stuttering and pretentious."</p>
<p>You can expect your writing "talent" to give you a leg-up in the admissions process, but it's not a crutch; you can't rely on it completely.</p>
<p>Please never write something like this again:</p>
<p>I've enjoyed working on the [school newspaper] partly for the sense of accomplishment that comes with producing a newspaper of astounding quality for a high school publication, and for everything it's taught me about style, writing objectively, layout and graphics, and the ever-important deadlines, but just as much for the friends I've made and the particular sort of bond that forms between people who of their own free will choose to spend entire weekends cooped up in a windowless basement scarfing down glazed donuts and arguing about punctuation and whether the margins are aligned.</p>
<p>Actually, judging by your edit, maybe I could say "congrats... you were right." I never called my own writing gorgeous, and my inferiority complex is bigger than my ego. You certainly have a "talent" for back-handed compliments. :rolleyes:</p>