<p>^Of course I’m not going to write my recommendation :P</p>
<p>Mea culpa</p>
<p>I had misread your first post – thought it said that your mentor wanted you to write the letter for him. It’s not what you said. I apologize.</p>
<p>^Lol, it’s okay. We all make mistakes :P</p>
<p>I’m not sure if you should. Unless it is really spectacular (140+) I don’t know how impressive that will be.</p>
<p>I would not send the articles. Lots of top kids who are accomplished in their sports or instruments or whatever have these…I don’t think adcoms want to be bombarded with them. Have heard a few in info sessions specifically say <em>not</em> to send extra stuff, they will not look at it.</p>
<p>DO NOT send articles. Many, many kids have newspaper articles, have won awards, etc. As another poster said, the admisisons office would be swamped with such material if everyone sent it in. Many quite specifically ask that you not send such material and specify that it will be imediately discarded and will not be put in your file. If your letter writer wants to talk about those things and your actual acheivements and perceived potential that would seem to me like the best way to get that information across. As others have asked - what have you done with these “gifts” in the last 3 years of high school? Write your essay about some interest, point of intillectual curiosity, study, project, experiment, etc.
My Ds high school has a gifted program where kids have tested Standard Age Score 144 or above - there are about 60 kids per grade. Many are doing internships and research etc. They still have to demonstrate that they can succeed academically and will contribute to the larger school community.</p>
<p>To be honest, “gifted” isn’t even that rare of a title. Even highly gifted is something that isn’t incredible. 120 is considered smart. But no good college would be impressed by it. 140 qualifies as genius but even that is about .6% of the pop. To put it in perspective, I have a 177, the highest in my districts history, and I am not putting it down. Unless yours is significantly higher, I say pass. You’ll look cocky without much to be cocky about.</p>
<p>^ I agree with saintfan. Colleges want to see what you have DONE. They don’t need to see yet another test score that frankly may or may not predict your success in college and beyond. List the organization as an activity, and if you think it really adds something, have your mentor send a recommendation. Do not send articles, especially since they are from before you entered high school.</p>
<p>I think too much emphasis on your IQ could really be a detriment to your application.</p>
<p>IQ is in no way a prediction of success. It is just one way to measure one kind of intelligence. Motivation, passion, talent, organization, innovation, curiosity, all of these things matter just as much, if not more than an IQ. Express those qualities in your app and let them see your potential. IQ is an irrelevant test in a lot of ways. Someone with an average IQ could rise well above someone who rests on their supposed genius.</p>
<p>I think that you should DEFINITELY put ALL of those things that you mentioned. A resume is the place for you to boast! Admissions can interpret it in any way that they would like, but you want to make sure that you’re putting your best foot forward and telling them ALL of your accomplishments. Plus, those are some big accomplishments. So yes, definitely include everything.</p>
<p>^Studiousness, with very few exceptions, colleges don’t want a resume. You already have sections for awards, APs, coures taken, ECs, etc. They have 12-15-20 minutes to get through a read. Don’t annoy them by piling on every little thing you can think of. Better to use the time and effort to make the routine sections shine.</p>
<p>Studiousness, I would not classify an IQ score as an accomplishment. Supposedly one cannot prepare for an IQ test, nor drastically improve their score over time. </p>
<p>Furthermore, if your actual accomplishments are not as or more impressive than the score, it will only make you look less promising, the same way a 2400 SAT in most cases will only make a low GPA look even sadder. If your accomplishments ARE as or more impressive, then they should speak for themselves anyway. Personally, I would not choose to emphasize my IQ.</p>
<p>Just wanted to add I agree with above poster @irishrabbit
There are a lot of students who are deemed ‘gifted’ and put in special programs. At the end of the day, colleges go by what YOU have ACCOMPLISHED…someone who has a high score/GPA and has done great things doesn’t need a test to say they are gifted.</p>
<p>Just wanted to add I agree with above poster @irishrabbit
There are a lot of students who are deemed ‘gifted’ and put in special programs. At the end of the day, colleges go by what YOU have ACCOMPLISHED…someone who has a high score/GPA and has done great things doesn’t need a test to say they are gifted.</p>