<p>Well, I first wanted to thank all the parents on here for the help that they've provided me.</p>
<p>That being said, I am sort of a wreck after hearing my decisions. It is just hard to fathom why I have been rejected from all of my reaches. I started out with 10 schools and now I have about 3 options, 2 of which I don't even like. My dream school (Dartmouth) didn't want me, but I am hoping to transfer after my first year...probably at GWU. </p>
<p>The good thing about GWU is that two things might happen if I go there. I might fall in love with it (it's very possible, it being lovely and in DC) and not want to leave it. Or, if I end up not liking it, I can try to transfer and hopefully I will be more successful than this year in admissions.</p>
<p>I've concluded however, that college admissions has become a killer process, one that holds as some of its tenets reverse discrimination and nepotism, to name a few. I guess I understand why those policies are held, but when it comes right down to it, it is incredibly frustrating.</p>
<p>I just feel awful for my brothers and sister, who will have to face this in about 10 years. It gets harder every year, and I can't imagine what it will be like for them.</p>
<p>Yes, it will be easier from your brother and sister as them baby boomlet will be over for them.</p>
<p>It is so painful when your dreams take a detour. However, I really hope you can get some perspective on this that will take you past feeling that some minorities or legacies took your place. It's simply not true. The 7 or so percent of legacies at Dartmouth are all highly qualified. The minority students as well, perhaps in different but equally important ways.</p>
<p>This is probably your first great dissapointment in life. DON'T LET IT MAKE YOU BITTER OR YOU'LL LOSE. Stand up, dust yourself off and keep your eye firmly on the ball. Continue to go after your dreams with renewed focus and energy. If you still want Dartmouth, do what it takes to get it. But open yourself up to the possibility that fate may land you at GWU for a reason and you may well have new dreams in a short while. Good luck!</p>
<p>"I've concluded however, that college admissions has become a killer process, one that holds as some of its tenets reverse discrimination and nepotism, to name a few."</p>
<p>While I have compassion for your disappointment at getting rejections, I do not like how you assume that "reverse discrimination" was the cause. I am sick of students who are rejected assuming that their race -- not the large pool of outstanding applicants -- was the reason.</p>
<p>The lack of thoughtfulness in your statement is also reflected in how you apparently made applications to colleges that you did not wish to attend. As you noted: " now I have about 3 options, 2 of which I don't even like."</p>
<p>You can't pretend that affirmative action doesn't hurt other applicants. Anyway, I'm not trying to start another AA debate.</p>
<p>I am saying, though, that college admissions have set up a gauntlet where connections are everything. Reading through the Gatekeepers will tell you that much. My guidance counselor doesn't have any "personal friends" at Wesleyan or any college, where he can call them up and tell them how they need to accept me because people will "follow me" or whatever. </p>
<p>In the end, it is too much pain and stress for a 17 year old to be asked to handle.</p>
<p>"I am saying, though, that college admissions have set up a gauntlet where connections are everything. Reading through the Gatekeepers will tell you that much. "</p>
<p>I am involved in college admissions as an alum interviewer, and I have not seen evidence that "personal connections are everything." I also don't believe everything that I read in books.</p>
<p>"Yes, it will be easier from your brother and sister as them baby boomlet will be over for them."</p>
<p>zagat: That may not be true. The world wide wealth has increased and the applicant pool of internationals is increasing. During my time, not that many Indian kids would come to US for undergraduate studies. But now look at the postings - kids from India, China, Hongkong, Singapore and many middle eastern countries.</p>
<p>I feel your pain. You're a great poster and have shared a lot of yourself on this board. But, please don't bash those that got in, for whatever reason. D-mouth has an extremely high 4 year graduation rate, so they are ALL well-qualified. </p>
<p>Go to DC and enjoy the ride. You'll be glad you are there in three years when we have another election. There is no place better than DC during a Presidential sweeps year. It's its own learning environment.</p>
<p>Personal connections play a small role somewhat late in the process based on my reading of "The Gatekeepers". After all of the applications are complete, a GC with connections can help someone on the borderline by assuring the adcoms that if accepted they will come. At the same time the adcoms can lean on the GC with regard to a desireable student who's not made up his mind. These connections have little effect on the vast majority of applicants who are accepted or rejected on their own merits. Even at the Ivies where they probably have 4 or more well qualified applicants the GCs have only a small effect as the adcoms have their own agenda.</p>
<p>Welcome to The GW family Babybird~Class of 2009! I promise we'll have fun together! PM close to move-in time and maybe we can hang out! I know people at GW who love it and are proud to be Colonials. Don't be upset about Dartmouth. You got accepted to a top school that rejects almost 2/3 of its applicants a year! </p>
<p>I think that you need to perk up. Plenty of people don't even have a place to go next year, and you should be thankful that you are able to afford/get into GW. If you go into your first-year experience with a negative attitude, YOU WILL NOT SUCCEED! I promise. You need to prepare for 4 years at GW. Yes, there's a very tiny chance of transferring to Dartmouth, but that's highly unlikely.</p>
<p>I don't agree that my brothers and sister (10, 8, and 3) won't have a tough time. Population increases and with every year, more people are graduating high school. By the time they deal with this, curing cancer is going to have to be one of your EC's to be considered for NYU or something.</p>
<p>bluebayou-- I would never diss those who got into Dartmouth. Despite my rejection, I am still in love with every bit of Dartmouth and am facing 11 years of wishing being flushed down the drain. (I've been visiting Dartmouth since I was 6). </p>
<p>Hoo, thanks so much for the offer and I'd love to take you up on it. I am getting excited about DC and its environment. Ever since going to Reagan's funeral last May, I have loved DC. I still have to visit again, but I can see myself being very happy there. I still have a general plan to try a transfer, but I cannot see into the future, and I am hoping I will be happy.</p>
<p>"You can't pretend that affirmative action doesn't hurt other applicants. Anyway, I'm not trying to start another AA debate."</p>
<p>AA doesn't hurt other applicants anymore than football players, English horn players, opera singers, horseriders or developmental admits do. They shouldn't have had any expectation of getting in to begin with. AA educationally HELPS those admitted (and I don't mean the AA admits), and that's why they have it.</p>
<p>Wanted to let you know that the legacy thing at Dartmouth doesn't always get you in. My friend's daughter was rejected even though her Dad and Grandfather went there. The student had good SAT scores, was ranked high in her class and had greatr grades. But nothing about her stood out, made her special. So for her the legacy wan't enough to help! I think even if you're a legacy you have to still be outstanding. (She was waitlisted- maybe that's how they treat legacies so as not to keep alumni parents quiet!)</p>