<p>Seriously guys, everyday I see some freshman, 8th, or 7th grader doing crazy SAT prep and "hyperventilating" about getting a B. Stop worrying about the Ivy leauge and enjoy life. You should do things because you love to do them, not because it looks better on your transcript. Seriously, all the kids I knew who got into great schools were chill kids. They were the kids who played hard and worked hard. Thats the attitude that you should carry throughout your HS carrer.</p>
<p>But then again, nothing gets through your skulls and this may be falling on deaf ears...</p>
<p>I'm a freshman and I don't think there's anything wrong with planning ahead. I do think it's excessive if people our age "freak out" over ivies, but personally I think that if I start planning now I won't feel as overwhelmed later on. All I'm looking to do here is get a head start at the college game-- maybe I won't score the points right now, but I want to learn the rules.</p>
<p>There's nothing wrong with planning, but seriously, SAT prep and panic over grades? I looked at middle school as a time to make mistakes, have more fun, and get READY for high school, not to freak out about college!
Also, it scares me how much college rules our lives. You can still be successful without an Ivy!!!</p>
<p>I know what you mean SweetLax. It's pretty unbelievable. When I was in middle school, no one mentioned college except in terms of NCAA football and basketball.</p>
<p>I really hate the Ivy-centric thought processes that dominate this site. I mean, they're all great schools, but there's tons of great schools that aren't one of the eight in the Ivy League. Hell, I'm top 3 in my class with a 2240 SAT and do not plan on applying to any Ivies. I hope to be a Duke guy instead.</p>
<p>Yeah in middle school I was out playing basketball everyday. In fact, as an 8th grader, my midterm report had 3 F's on it. HAHA I wouldn't really be sharing this information if I had gotten rejected from my top choice schools, but it's just funny to think about I guess. It was nice not worrying about SATs and grades (even as a high schooler), and looking back, I think it was for the better that I was relaxed throughout the application process. And hey, I got into some of my top schools (Harvard, Chicago), so I would encourage you little kids to just take it easy for now. Work hard in high school, but remember that this is life, and if you take things this seriously this far in advance, you wont have any time to enjoy yourself =T</p>
<p>I agree with zoomzoom. I didn't even consider applying to college in the US before tenth grade (I didn't think we could afford it), and I didn't decide to apply to Ivies until eleventh grade (I didn't think I had a chance). I'll be going to Dartmouth in the fall. Of course it's fine to have ambition, but DON'T WORRY SO MUCH. YOU'LL BE FINE, HONESTLY.</p>
<p>...To tell you the truth I'm a freshman aiming for MIT, Rice, CalTech, Vanderbilt, etc., and freaking out is WAY overrated. Sure you've got to prepare, but its better to gradually work your way up to craziness (such as junior/senior year). I personaly have absolutely no patience for some 7th grader getting 1500+ composites and freaking out about it. It's not like you have 5 more years to improve or anything... or that anything over 1550 really matters!</p>
<p>...To sum it up, CHILL. Enjoy life... it's fun. Girls are definitely underrated. Even I have a life - besides, Ivies probably prefer those who are more relaxed to those who fret about every minor point of their life.</p>
<pre><code>Maybe I'm just special (perhaps that's why I'm attempting to indent :P) lol.
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<p>There is so little a 7th grader, 8th grader, or even a freshman can do besides study for class. Preparing for the SAT even as a freshman is a little over the top unless you are taking it your soph year. Get a life kids and do someting...go on a date. I remember kids like you in high school, sure they got into great schools, but did they have any friends? Nope. I don't even know why I am trying, none of you will listen to me. All of you will be on here tomorrow dreaming about where you will go to college. I have one last piece of advice. Girls-get a picutre of a hot man in his underwear, boys-get a picture of a nude chick, and dream about those instead.....it will help you out way more!</p>
<p>bbecker-What kind of question is that? If your trying to attack me in any way, you utterly failed. Why am I here? Duh, Im a HS Senior whose bored out of his mind waiting for the last few weeks till summer. After that, goodbye CC!</p>
<p>Anybody on this site that isn't in 10th grade yet has something wrong with them. You need to enjoy your middle school and early highschool years, not worry over them. As someone earlier in this post said, the people that got into the great colleges are the ones who were chill. They had their stuff together and studied when they needed to, but had fun a lot also. </p>
<p>Colleges look for the well rounded person; both academically and socially. Ivy leagues want kids who not only will perform well in the classroom, but also perform well socially. Colleges actually look down on kids who have started worrying about the college process so early. If you stress out, or even begin to consider college, during the middle school years youre doing a disservice to yourself. Go out and live a little. Trust me, hanging out with friends while you still can does so much more for you than wasting your time on a site like this.</p>
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Do you really think its not possible to enjoy life AND start to prepare for college
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<p>It's completely possible, and I would expect that most people would be able to accomplish both. When you are in middle school though and on a site like this, then I really doubt you are enjoying life to your full potential. Instead of posting on this site, they could be out with their friends instead.</p>