<p>I hate my 2200 because I can’t tell if that’s good by CC standards. I like my 33 ACT much more.</p>
<p>This website has all but destroyed my confidence. I freak out about getting into what some people consider their “safety” school–UW Seattle. My friends tell me I’ll get into my dream school (Harvey Mudd) but I honestly don’t think I will. :/</p>
<p>I’m considered a smart person at my school, but I’m nothing compared to some people here. And I feel like the way I degrade myself has made some people think less of me. But whatever.</p>
<p>Seems like people at my school woke up and realized how tough it is to get into Ivies when our Valedictorian was rejected from Harvard last year. Had a 4.0, 36 ACT, won State Battle of the Books along with many other awards, etc. Seriously if he can’t get in, we all concluded its impossible…</p>
<p>I’ve never really felt that smart myself though and I’m below average by CC standards (31 ACT, 3.8 uw) but it seems only recently people have realized I’m “smart” despite always being in the hardest classes and what not. I just don’t make it known i guess. Just friday a girl in my class came up to me and was like “don’t take this the wrong way, but I never knew you were so smart. Your like the best in this class though.” I think it’s just obnoxious to brag because then you have to explain “no I’m not going to Harvard” “yes there are much smarter people out there.”</p>
<p>I think it’s unfair (to your mental health) and slightly ridiculous to compare yourself to a group of people that may be in a very different context (school, region, etc). I think a better way to understand your chances at schools (not that that’s everything, but it’s been the main vein of the thread) is to compare yourself with the top students at your school. If you are at a school that regularly sends kids to Ivies, see how you compare with them (schedule, GPA, scores, EC’s) …they might not be as INSANE as you imagine. Often my impression is that CC’ers are much “smarter” than me, but then I realize that I don’t have the same options as many of these kids, and that I have 5 or 6 friends who got into top schools last year without going to RSI or being a Siemens Semi-Finalist, etc that I stack up well against. They simply were well-rounded, smart leaders who took advantage of what was offered at my school.</p>
<p>If you aren’t at a school that has a strong record of sending kids to schools, my thought would be that you must be significantly smarter (at least on paper), but not as qualified as some CC’ers; colleges take into account what school you go to, and if you take advantage of the opportunities in front of you and show major academic promise (through high scores, etc), you can overcome an underachieving environment.</p>
<p>Halcyonheather: When I was talking about money, I was referring to prestigious internships and camps. My dad thinks volunteering gets you nowhere in college admissions and that I should just work for his business (which I hate working at). He thinks I should spend my time on “more important things” like studying for the SATs.</p>
<p>Readyfor2014: Do you think it would be ok if I went to one of the most crappiest rural public high schools in Kansas and was light year ahead of everyone else (dont mean to brag, I am slightly below average for CC). Do you think it is an advantage in college admissions to overcome the lethargic nature of my school towards academics and advancement. I mean comparing me to an Andover or Montgomery Blair magnet high schooler would be IMHO very unfair and unreasonable.</p>
<p>Most of the students here on CC are either very intelligent people academically or complete liars. From what I’ve seen, most of the people want to just look smart, so I don’t really look into it that much. If someone has a 33 ACT score and you have a 26 like me, that doesn’t mean that I’m any dumber than that other person. It just means that maybe that person was better taking the test that day or I could’ve had a bad day and them a good day. </p>
<p>Plus, I do love when a few people on here say that others are “ignorant” when it comes to such things as Calculus or Physics, and when they do not measure up to their standards, they either make fun of them or dismiss them completely. I don’t have a 4.0 GPA (I have a 3.875), but I won’t kill myself to get it. However, I’m not lazy in the least as I do take AP Calculus, Physics, AP English, Spanish IV, AP Government, and am National Honor Society President, Lead in the Musicals, take piano and voice lessons and Volunteer.</p>
<p>I may not measure up to CC standards, but it’s not the end of the world. I’m happy with my life and have been accepted into 3 of my state colleges (going for Vocal Production). So, overall, I like what I’ve done with my high school career and what I will do, and if others here on CC have their dreams to get a 36 on the ACT, then more power to you. </p>
<p>“Everybody is ignorant-only on different subjects.” - Will Rogers</p>
<p>I couldn’t agree more…</p>
<p>I disagree that a 26 is/can be as smart as a 33. There’s a limit to the “I suck at taking tests” argument.</p>
<p>Outside of disabilities/disorders, I don’t really believe anyone is a bad test-taker. If you have a high GPA, you’re clearly good at taking tests in school. The standardized tests are apparently just harder.</p>
<p>Rep you for that, MrABlair. </p>
<p>It’s a shame that kids are so insecure when they come to an online site and lose all confidence that they had because someone has a higher score than them or one more leadership position or a higher GPA.</p>
<p>I thought it was only me? 
apparently misery loves company haha. I remember last year when I got 2020 on the SAT, it was concluded (by classmates/friends) that I would get into Yale no prob. My score is a lot better now, but looking at the accepted/rejected students threads is so disheartening. There is rarely a difference between the candidates, but they’re all better (stats wise) than me. I could name dozens of kids who are sure they’re getting into ‘at least 1 Ivy’ unhooked with a 1950 SAT, but of course I just nod and smile, resisting the urge to show them this site.</p>
<p>People coming here and facing reality is better than them believing every moron in their school who says they’re a shoo-in at Harvard and then being disappointed.</p>
<p>If they’re morons, why would someone believe them?</p>
<p>I sort of had a “CCer moment” today at calculus. Some kids were pretty impressed by my SAT score of 1990, and they thought I was a shoo-in for any college I applied. But then again, my school as a whole doesn’t really have any CC-like student. I mean, the class valedictorian here has only a 1870 on her SAT(She’s intelligent and hardworking, but unfortunately tends to suck as standardized tests, as she she rarely gets 4s or above in AP exams.) The only person here with a SAT above 2000 is a girl with a 2090, which still isn’t that impressive from a CC-point of view.</p>
<ol>
<li>Strength in numbers.</li>
<li>A lot of them are well-educated adults.</li>
</ol>
<p>@ CSIHSIS and halcyonheather: Well, I mean maybe I’m just not great at science or something and that’s why I got a 26, but that doesn’t mean I’m an idiot or that they’re smarter than I am. That all goes back to my original point. Everyone’s good at different things. If I took my AP Music Theory Exam (which I got a 5 on), and this other guy got a 1, I’m not going to shun him or tell him he’s an ignorant ■■■■■■. He just may not be good at music. </p>
<p>It’s no big deal, just a weakness (which we all have), and we move on with our lives deciding whether or not to improve on our weaknesses. Also, I disagree that “nobody is a bad test taker.” There are those people who are great at most material, however, once they are sat down to a review on everything they have learned in an examination form, blank. But, they can still get good grades with corrections or homework or extra credit. </p>
<p>There will always be someone that is smarter than you. The sooner you accept that, the happier you’ll be with what you have, and you can apply that to making your life better. I don’t know, maybe I’m too optimistic…</p>
<p>No, no, beautiful words, Blair.
I can’t agree more with this. Be who you are. Accept it.</p>
<p>at my school 2200+ SAT scores are the norm and anything below that is worth retaking… <em>yay for feeling inadequate in real life as well as on cc</em></p>