Why didn't I get in?

<p>I know it sounds petty, but I honestly thought I was a lock for acceptance to SFS. </p>

<p>SATI 2230- (750cr, 780m, 700w)
SATII -( 730us, 700mathII, 700 lit)</p>

<p>GPA uw- 3.956
GPA w- 4.6</p>

<p>Rank: top 1% in class of 950</p>

<p>Sports: Club Soccer for 10 years (captain for 3)</p>

<p>EC: JSA- 4 years (president for 2)
Future lawyers of America (4 years)
Key Club- 4 years (sec for 2)
Philosophy Club- 4 years (pres for 2)</p>

<pre><code> -Created my school's first Mock Trial Team
-Created a charity to help orphans in Armenia (recognized by Red Cross and UN) -over 1000 hrs of service
</code></pre>

<p>Seriously, what are they looking for? How did I get into UCLA, CAL, and DUKE,
and waitlist at gtown?</p>

<p>You never know what would happen in college admissions process. Don't assume that some college will let you in automatically just because you have a decent spec.</p>

<p>Your story is the same as many. My d did not get into Gtown last year and had similar stats. Thought it was the end of the world but is happy where she landed. Mourn the loss and move on, you will be surprised to look back a year from now and see that there really are other options out there.</p>

<p>totally agree with you. My s got in (surprisingly), but got deferred at a school he thought was safety.. First experience at this stressful experience. I am sure we all be happy when it's over next week, and kids will be happy whereever they go in the fall (probably mostly to get away from us :-)).</p>

<p>What do you expect of a school that notifies you snail mail, has no secure communication site for applicants and has you call with no secure verification if you don't get your letter by April2 or whatever. Consider yourself lucky...people like you are too good for this place.</p>

<p>Don't think it's personal at all. It in no way reflects on who you are as a person at all. I agree, you're too good for them.</p>

<p>none of ur ECs reflect any interest in foreign service or language</p>

<p>gerogetown, like any other top school is a complete crap-shoot.</p>

<p>Yes, you all need to remember that nearly everyone that applies to Gtown has the same stats. We all like to think our kids are the most special but, in reality, there are thousands upon thousands of you out there with stellar GPA's, ourageously high standardized test scores and so many ECs that it makes one dizzy. Believe it or not, the disappointment fades over time. I was heartbroken for my d at the time although I was never sure Gtown was the right place for her. It is hard on parents as well, we tell our kids to work hard and h they will be able to "go anywhere you want" - not true. As I stated, many factors affect decisions. We live in a suburb of Chicago. The entire region, less the city, has phenomonal schools and fairly well off families. Many, many, many graduates from this area apply to top schools which doesn't help. The school is not going to take 3,000 kids from the Chicago area. Now, if you are from Rhode Island, or Mississippi and have great stats your competition just became less. Top schools want geographic diversity as well as international students. I am amazed at the stories of some of the students at my d's college. One young man has lived in six countries, another told me he is a "citizen of nowhere" since he has lived so many places. Another walked over two miles on dirt roads to school (sounds like my parents :) and has the hope of the entire family on her shoulders. Is my daughter special in light of all of those students - no. Her upbringing was typical middle class America. She is special to me though ;)</p>

<p>With all of that being said my daughter has a new outlook. She is at a top LAC and doing well academically. Everytime I bring up getting involved is some new EC she says "I am not making this high school mom, I am not getting back on that wheel." I always counter with "what about grad/law school?" Her reponse is "there are tons of famous, successful peoples who have attended schools you never heard of, she then lists ten or so for my edification." I would never tell her this but she is right, she should enjoy this time of her life, college is tough enough. She gained some perspective through the admissions process and it is a good thing.</p>

<p>Presidentchris: Many things can get you into the reject pile, but you made one mistake for sure. You spent 4 years in Future Lawyers of America. It certainly doesn't sound like you would be willing to spend any career time in some lowly foreign service job in a third world country.</p>

<p>Since when is it so awful to want to become a lawyer or an executive? Sure, its not Teach for America, but the people that write their admissions essays about wanting to join Teach for America just become lawyers anyway. </p>

<p>Georgetown is reportedly one of the most random admissions processes in the country. I know my high school never had much success with Georgetown or Yale, but always did well with Princeton and MIT. Go figure.</p>

<p>You are clearly a highly qualified applicant for any school.
The fact is, however, that the most competitive schools in the country simply can't offer admission to everyone who is qualified, so a lot of factors come into play, some of which you have no control over. (A few years ago I heard that Harvard had so many applicants with 1600 SATs that they rejected half of them!)
Not getting into GU does not mean that you weren't qualified, or even that you weren't MORE qualified than many who did get in.<br>
Besides, you got into Duke, which is a better school anyway, so you'll be just fine, whether you decide to go there or elsewhere.</p>

<p>Chris - DUKE??? Wow! Congratulations!!!</p>

<p>I basically had the same situation as you, and no, it's not fair. Apparently another girl at my school had gotten in the year before with lower SATs, a lower GPA and much lower rank, had absolutely nowhere near the ECs/awards I have, but she was accepted to Georgetown RD. It's possible that this year, the class of 2008=geniuses and the admissions offices don't know what to do with it.</p>

<p>BUT you did get into Duke (congrats!) which is, as WCAS said, a better school anyway, so you can be angry, but this will be behind you very quickly.</p>

<p>you got into Duke. I guess Gtown was your dream school, but personally i would pick duke over gtown</p>