<p>Putting mom hat on…get off your duff and apply! That’s what I would say to my own kids! Regret is an awful thing to live with, so IF you think the fin aid at Harvard might be reasonable (and your mom agrees) then get busy!</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus Probably a PhD program, preferably without having to do a Master’s first. But to be honest… I have no idea what I want to do with my life yet. I’m good at math and physics and they don’t stress me out like writing does. Yep. And I like my engineering class. So yeah thats really all I got. </p>
<p>If any of you kind kind people would like to read over my common app and/or supplements please pm me</p>
<p>You do have to write lab reports and project reports in science and engineering. And graduate students have to write master’s and PhD theses. However, it is possible that you do not like writing in high school because it is usually taught in high school in the context of analyzing literature, which may not be your thing, but that writing about science and engineering may be something you like or do not mind.</p>
<p>PhD programs admit bachelor’s degree graduates. PhD students sometimes do pick up a master’s degree along the way.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus I also don’t like writing personal essays though. These college essays…</p>
<p>Gosh, I think your situation sounds great. Go to Rutgers, knock it out of the park, then go fancy on the grad school. Or, get a job, and actually enjoy your paycheck rather than spend 10 years paying off loans. chances at Harvey Mudd or whatever are slim for you as they are slim for everyone. You could still apply though, because you never know! Apply and see what happens but be tickled pink at the boat you are in. So many would trade.</p>
<p>I don’t understand the anxiety.</p>
<p>Look at it this way: You now have free options. That means you can go wild with your remaining college apps and say whatever you like. Whatever’s in your heart (just lay off the profanities).</p>
<p>As you know yourself, your chances of getting in to Harvard/Yale/Mudd are near zero anyway, so it’s silly to sigh about what-ifs (you don’t dream about marrying whatever starlet/heartthrob catches your fancy, do you?). But you can now be your true self in your apps and send them off. That way you can tell yourself that you tried. If you don’t get in, you weren’t expecting to anyway and it wasn’t meant to be, but at least you tried.</p>
<p>In the end, your success in life will be up to you, not what school you go to. So If I were you, right now, I would stop dreaming about Harvard/Yale/Mudd and start dreaming of self-improvement and what legacy you want to leave on this world. When you are 65, what do you want to look back on and be most proud of. Then ask yourself: How do I become that person?</p>
<p>C: worked pretty damn hard in high school thus far. It would feel crappy ending up at the place where the kids with 1500s and 3.0s from my school go to</p>
<p>I TOTALLY FEEL THIS! You don’t want to have any regrets, so I say apply just for the heck of it (if you want to put in the extra work).</p>
<p>If you can graduate undergrad debt-free AND then have money for grad school of choice, you cannot lose, as then you have all degrees with no debt. I cannot think of a better financial situation to be in after grad school. </p>
<p>Good luck in getting into engineering!</p>
<p>I totally agree with posts 20 & 25: Apply to the schools you would like to attend. You can wring your hands and decide whether or not to attend those schools later, in the spring. Apply now. If you go to grad school in science or engineering, worry about paying for that when the time comes. You will likely find that someone will pay for it (fellowship, RA, or TA).</p>
<p>GPA is not everything. Extenuating circumstances do matter. Don’t judge your own application- just put your best foot forward and allow the school to judge whether or not you would be a good fit with this particular class they are assembling. If you are female, you have a better chance at Harvey-Mudd than you may think - supposedly they are trying to even out the numbers. If you are male, forget I said anything.</p>
<p>As for shaking down your Mom for Grandma’s trust money, I think we should have a separate thread to debate that for you and give you precious advice. ;)</p>
<p>So after reading more details, and remembering your other posts, I say keep applying. You can decide later once you have some acceptances what to do. It is great to have a safety like this. You may decide to attend it in the end, but get more choices on the table. You may have some good ones. If you are struggling with essays these last few days, prioritize the schools you like best and finish those first.</p>
<p>I agree with everyone telling you to keep applying. If you were 110% satisfied with your safety and it was affordable, then I would say that you are fine, and you should just push the big green button on Rutgers website. But from what you have posted, that doesn’t seem to be the case. You appear to be having second thoughts. You don’t have anything to lose by firing off a few apps to super reach schools. Heck, Harvard’s essay is “Pick your own topic,” you could just submit your Rutgers essay. Duke’s essay is optional. WashU doesn’t even have an essay. </p>
<p>Give it a whirl, and see how things pan out in the fall. Worst comes to worst, you’re going to Rutgers on a full ride, which, I would say, is still pretty damn good. Now go write some essays. :)</p>
<p>@purpletitan Perhaps the anxiety arises from a concern about “fit.” Applicants are aways being told to find the right fit, and not necessarily the most expedient choice.</p>
<p>OP, generally in life it is better to have a range of options, so I would apply to some additional schools, including a few reaches. You don’t sound whiny, you are weighing your options seriously. Good luck! You have a great backup, so you are sitting in a very good position, no matter what happens!</p>
<p>I think you are in a very good position having a safety lined up that will be tuition free. I would advise you to pick 2 or maybe 3 additional schools and put in apps to see what happens. Your stats are good. </p>
<p>If you are in NJ, why not make Princeton your reach school - excellent in your area of interest. You might even think of living at home to save on room and board. Then look at additional semi-local schools - maybe Carnegie Mellon, Lehigh or Bucknell? See if any of these schools might offer you some aid. </p>
<p>
I can understand this sentiment. But here’s something to think about – you’ll naturally gravitate to other achieving students such as yourself. Your profs will certainly know who you are. When they need help, are looking for an intern, asked for a student to recommend – will they go the “other” kid? Or to a kid like you? There’s something to be said about being a big fish in a small pond. While the lunch time intellectual banter might not be equivalent to New Haven or Palo Alto, you’ll still find many challenges. </p>
<p>My co-worker’s daughter turned down UMich Ross pre-admit to take a “presidential” full ride scholarship at a lesser know college. She’s the prime target by the various dept heads/committees on campus for internships and positions – b/c she’s a stand out. People are always keeping an eye out for great people. Be that at your school and you’ll be laughing your way to the bank come senior year.</p>
<p>Like I said above, you’re in an enviable position. I get why others have said to go ahead and submit. In a year, you’ll be home for Xmas break and probably having a good chuckle about your anxiety on Dec 31st 2014 – whatever you decide, good luck to you</p>