You know what irritates me...

<p>It's strange when freshmen, sophomores, and juniors post their stats and show their interest in top schools through their involvement on CC and people are like "dude, just relax and enjoy high school". I had a college interview the other day with an ivy league school and I was asked what disappointed me about high school. I told them that I was disappointed in the cutthroat competition to get into a decent school. Yes, there is cutthroat competition in the real world, but this is high school, we're still kids. That type of competition forces motivated and talented kids to be on their toes every single moment of those four years of high school because the tiniest slip-up can shoot their dreams, at least right now during this frenzy. Therefore, all of you freshmen, sophomores, and juniors on CC, don't relax and take it for granted that you will automatically get into those schools you dream of. Yes, keep things in balance, but tip the scales slightly in favor of college and school over vegging out on the couch.</p>

<p>hahaha =) i get too many of those "relax and enjoy hs" comments</p>

<p>i always find it so ironic when people on these forums, of all places, give that advice. perhaps it's a subtle form of that "cutthroat competition" that transcends online to discourage potentially strong candidates.</p>

<p>Well no irony on my part. I went to one of the HYPs and am very glad for my experience. However, looking back, I would have enjoyed several of the other schools that accepted me as well. In the professional world, I've met many many fantastic people who went to the whole gamut of schools yet I admire them and consider myself lucky to work with them and under them.</p>

<p>I went to the top HS in my large urban school district -- ended up w/about 7 AP classes, 3.8GPA, decent SATs. I cranked on my grades and ECs because I WANTED to, not because it would produce a future result (admission into a top school). As a matter of fact, from early on, I just assumed that I'd go to the top flagship state school, not an Ivy. No real interest in that rat race until late November of my Senior year. I had no idea my chances. I applied to two ivies. Never fretted one way or another. </p>

<p>Now as my oldest is eleven, I SURELY hope she just loves to learn and enjoys life and develops character. These are so much more important than what school eventually confers a degree to her. I don't give much of a darn about that -- honestly.</p>

<p>Without reservation, I say "relax, enjoy HS", and excel -- but the end result isn't worth stressing over.</p>

<p>T26E4-
I am curious. Are you in the admissions field, or active with your alumni association? What might bring you to CC if your oldest is only 11?? How did you stumble across this site?? Warning-- it is very addictive, and you have a long way to go before you are dealing directly with the college process!!!</p>

<p>I've been active w/college admissions ever since I was an undergrad and asked by my local alumni assoc to speak at an info session. I've interviewed 3-6 kids every year (I've done four already, have two tomorrow and one yet to be scheduled) since I graduated and do 2-3 college info sessions for my alma mater. I'm an officer w/my local alumni assoc now and have remained very involved. I don't have buckets of $ to send back-- that's my small way of giving back. I came to CC to assist w/clearing up some of the myths and check some of the chaotic stress that often appears.</p>

<p>I've dealt with that face to face when frantic 9th graders' parents accost me about their kids % to get into my alma mater. I really feel pain for them --</p>

<p>^^^ Makes sense. Otherwise "relax and enjoy HS" and being on CC with an 11 yr old would be an oxymoron!! Which college were you in? My bro was in Saybrook, and I dated guys in Branford and Pierson.</p>

<p>I disagree, because many people only come on here in senior year, at the height of their fears. I did.</p>

<p>And, if there is anything I've learned from all of this, it's that you really shouldn't do everything for college, you should do it for you. If you don't want to do a bunch of leadership activities, why would you want to go to a place that is entirely inhabited with leaders. If you think you want to be at Wharton, but you don't like organizing people on your own time, you'll be unhappy there.</p>

<p>Furthermore, there is something to be said for being happy in high school. It's a frivolous society, where the immaturity of youth and the responsibilities of adulthood mingle with very poor guidance(inside the walls, not at home or elsewhere. Say what you will, but the "life education" is terrible.)</p>

<p>Combine that with a society that has nothing to base value off of but popular opinion, and it's hard to be happy.</p>

<p>And perhaps, if you don't like it, you should rail a bit, not rebel, but at least recognize what is wrong. And then focus on what is right and find a way to make yourself happy. Most people are terrible, and sometimes it will be difficult to not want to cry "off with their heads." But there are generally some people worth being around, some things worth doing, and some time to become yourself. </p>

<p>Perhaps "enjoy high school" is too broad. No one ever grows from pure happiness. Understand yourself and others, do good, be good, and accept yourself? That might be better. </p>

<p>Too many kids take the former to mean "go out and party," when really it needs to be said, "Yes high school(school/life/a variety of things as according to your worldview) is terrible, but accept the suffering and transcend it." </p>

<p>The kids looking at colleges are already living in the future, likely because they can't stand to live in the present, likely with overbearing home life and an unsatisfied life outside it. They do need to realize that they have to power to alleviate their own pain and make their lives better.</p>

<p>Though maybe that's not well said in one phrase, I think you read too much maliciousness into others' suggestions.</p>

<p>Edit: This all to the fellow above saying that the purpose of such posts was to cut down the competition.</p>

<p>^^^ Huh???</p>

<p>
[quote]
It's strange when freshmen, sophomores, and juniors post their stats and show their interest in top schools through their involvement on CC and people are like "dude, just relax and enjoy high school".

[/quote]

No one is telling them to throw away academics and spend hours in front of the TV, but a lot of the time posters who are freshmen, sophomores or juniors are doing EC's to look good and not because they like them. Whenever I tell people to relax and enjoy high school it's based on two things: 1) to participate in EC's that they're passionate about (which count more for a laundry list, anyway) and enjoy high school by developing what they love, and 2.) to relax, because worrying won't get you in. It's good to be concerned, but losing sleep over it won't help anyone. Just try your best, do everything you can, and don't worry about what the bitter hearts ... are gonna say.</p>

<p>Sorry man, didn't mean to end with Jimmy Eat World lyrics.</p>

<p>Cheers,
Alex</p>

<p>unhealthy competition here</p>