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I applied EA to Harvard nearly 2 months ago. The wait is finally, almost over. I'm really starting to become a nervous wreck.
Decisions will be sent out by December 13. It's December 11. The paranoia is starting to take hold. If I were accepted, would I have received my letter/email yet? I mean, it does say BY December 13...
Of course it's a longshot. That's what everyone says. You see people with 2400SAT, 800SAT2 get rejected, and you think, "how the fuck do i have a chance?" Yea, everyone acknowledges acceptance being a longshot, but everyone expects to be the needle in the haystack, for various reasons.
What's so special about me? How would I differentiate myself from other applicants? From everything I've read, everyone I've talked to, that's your best bet at being the needle in the haystack. Especially if you aren't the Super-Academic.
Now you might say, sir darth, inform me of your credentials; why would you deserve acceptance?
+ Show Spoiler +
Pros:
-3.71UW/4.57W GPA (out of 4)
-IB Diploma Student
-5 years living abroad experience
-Bilingual
-4 year football player; 2X captain (led our team to first winning season in 13 years)
-3 year track&field
-Studied for a month in France as part of the Tufts Summit European Center Program
-National Honor Society
-Foreign Language Honor Society
-5 AP GOV, 4 AP USH (as a freshman)
-Attend a minority majority high school (avg SAT score is 1540/2400)
-Football accolades (1st team blablabla)
-Great rec letters
-Very good essays (e.g - "Sleeping With Monks: A Personal Adventure")
-VERY good interview with Mary Louise Kelly of NPR/Georgetown faculty
-Attended Harvard's overnight football camp last summer
-Helped out a lot at community events for the school, PTSA, summer camp, etc.
Cons:
-1940 SAT (made me want to kill myself lol)
-620 French SAT2 (i'm much better speaking than writing/grammar)
-600 Biology SAT2
-Caucasian
The one thing about the IB program, the classes are two years long. I had only had the first year of biology before I had to take the SAT2, so I had not learned neurobiology, hormones, etc. which show up very frequently on the SAT2.
The SAT really fucked me up. I see so many people with nigh perfect SATs, and SAT2s. It's really depressing.
Ugh. It's such a crapshoot. So many deserving individuals. Did I do enough to distinguish myself, to take away from my subpar SAT results? Only time will tell. I'm aware that people overhype Harvard and the importance of it, but I've invested so much time, effort...hope, into it. I will be elated or crushed.
I'm naturally pessimistic. Either I will be right, and I haven't been accepted, or I will be happy. Let's hope for the latter.
EDIT: http://postimage.org/image/nqsuu4kc3/
 
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Basically your GPA is higher than mine (cuz my school sucks and didn't implement any kind of system and was giving us straight percentages on IB things which aren't straight percentages. Along with that some of our teachers basically forced us to have B's and getting A's was like DAMN) so my GPA is like 3.3-4 and a 4.123. I'm really similar to you in pretty much every way except I'm not bilingual and my original AP's (took the same as you) were lower by a point  . I did get higher SAT II's but not by much except for the 700 i got on U.S. history. WE ARE LIKE THE SAME PERSON if you change out sports n stuff O.o, except I've never lived abroad  or really go abroad in general. I'm barely not bilingual too which sucks I can read and listen to hebrew and I can read spanish and I hear yiddish but FUCK ME I'm not fluent. GL, you have a great shot and you need to remember that college apps aren't as much about scores as they are about politics, what race they want, what area of the country, what religion, what X thing you have that they want that isn't your grades or essays.
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On December 12 2012 11:54 docvoc wrote:Basically your GPA is higher than mine (cuz my school sucks and didn't implement any kind of system and was giving us straight percentages on IB things which aren't straight percentages. Along with that some of our teachers basically forced us to have B's and getting A's was like DAMN) so my GPA is like 3.3-4 and a 4.123. I'm really similar to you in pretty much every way except I'm not bilingual and my original AP's (took the same as you) were lower by a point . I did get higher SAT II's but not by much except for the 700 i got on U.S. history. WE ARE LIKE THE SAME PERSON if you change out sports n stuff O.o, except I've never lived abroad or really go abroad in general. I'm barely not bilingual too which sucks I can read and listen to hebrew and I can read spanish and I hear yiddish but FUCK ME I'm not fluent. GL, you have a great shot and you need to remember that college apps aren't as much about scores as they are about politics, what race they want, what area of the country, what religion, what X thing you have that they want that isn't your grades or essays.
Thanks man! I appreciate it. It just sucks feeling helpless, knowing your fate is in others' hands.
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As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros 
And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything?
Being a white guy isn't the worst thing in the world, by the way. Not enough to put it under Cons, anyway. If you were like Native American or something though, I'd put that as a Pro lol.
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On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything?
Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so.
May I ask what you scored on reading+math?
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I'm a high school sophomore. Your Pros make me depressed.
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On December 12 2012 12:29 AgentW wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything? Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so. May I ask what you scored on reading+math?
I scored merely at 1300 flat on the CR/M.
Idk man, it's really depressing. The SAT just isn't my thing i guess. It really annoys me though because college isn't one 4 hour long test.
For my sake, i hope you're wrong. I'm unique and i hope it showed.
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On December 12 2012 12:31 Praetorial wrote:
I'm a high school sophomore. Your Pros make me depressed.
You always have time.
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On December 12 2012 12:34 darthfoley wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 12:29 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything? Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so. May I ask what you scored on reading+math? I scored merely at 1300 flat on the CR/M. Idk man, it's really depressing. The SAT just isn't my thing i guess. It really annoys me though because college isn't one 4 hour long test. For my sake, i hope you're wrong. I'm unique and i hope it showed.
I'm rooting for you, I truly am. But I'll tell you, April 1 is probably the most depressing day in high schools across America. Perhaps I've been hardened by the experience myself :'(. What other schools are you looking at?
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I'm rooting hard for you man, but to be absolutely brutally honest, those test scores will kill you and I think get you deferred and ultimately rejected. You have essentially the exact same credentials as my sister (albeit probably better essays), who got rejected. She was an absolute model student but not great test-taker and harvard didn't accept her.
Personally, I applied EA to Uchicago, and they say decisions are finalized and will be sent mid-december. I want in sooo bad, and the wait is worse than anything. On the plus side, my backup school (Tulane University, still very good) accepted me and will give me half tuition (108k over four years) in scholarships. I want Chicago so bad though, will almost definitely go there if I get in.
SHARE IN THE DREAD OF WAITING WITH ME!
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On December 12 2012 12:44 AgentW wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 12:34 darthfoley wrote:On December 12 2012 12:29 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything? Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so. May I ask what you scored on reading+math? I scored merely at 1300 flat on the CR/M. Idk man, it's really depressing. The SAT just isn't my thing i guess. It really annoys me though because college isn't one 4 hour long test. For my sake, i hope you're wrong. I'm unique and i hope it showed. I'm rooting for you, I truly am. But I'll tell you, April 1 is probably the most depressing day in high schools across America. Perhaps I've been hardened by the experience myself :'(. What other schools are you looking at?
I'm applying to stanford, northwestern, cornell, richmond, amherst, middlebury, dickinson, f&m, rice, vanderbilt. The only thing positive about my SAT, I don't come from a... high performance SAT school.
I hope that the 1940 doesn't look AS bad because my school avg is 1540. +400
If i were going to a school with an average of 2230 or something, i'd surely be screwed.
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On December 12 2012 12:34 darthfoley wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 12:29 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything? Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so. May I ask what you scored on reading+math? I scored merely at 1300 flat on the CR/M. Idk man, it's really depressing. The SAT just isn't my thing i guess. It really annoys me though because college isn't one 4 hour long test. For my sake, i hope you're wrong. I'm unique and i hope it showed.
I agree with AgentW that the uniqueness of the applicants (that X factor that each student needs to bring out in their applications) really starts to become important with the Ivy League schools... but the pool of students they care about is still in regards to the top scoring individuals as far as I know. I'm pretty sure the understanding is "Okay, a hundred kids all have 2400s on their SAT... now which of them has that X factor we want?" I don't think X factor > solid test scores.
Regardless, good luck I hope I'm wrong ^^
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On December 12 2012 12:55 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 12:34 darthfoley wrote:On December 12 2012 12:29 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything? Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so. May I ask what you scored on reading+math? I scored merely at 1300 flat on the CR/M. Idk man, it's really depressing. The SAT just isn't my thing i guess. It really annoys me though because college isn't one 4 hour long test. For my sake, i hope you're wrong. I'm unique and i hope it showed. I agree with AgentW that the uniqueness of the applicants (that X factor that each student needs to bring out in their applications) really starts to become important with the Ivy League schools... but the pool of students they care about is still in regards to the top scoring individuals as far as I know. I'm pretty sure the understanding is "Okay, a hundred kids all have 2400s on their SAT... now which of them has that X factor we want?" I don't think X factor > solid test scores. Regardless, good luck I hope I'm wrong ^^
Yea, you're probably right. Oh well
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On December 12 2012 12:56 darthfoley wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 12:55 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:On December 12 2012 12:34 darthfoley wrote:On December 12 2012 12:29 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything? Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so. May I ask what you scored on reading+math? I scored merely at 1300 flat on the CR/M. Idk man, it's really depressing. The SAT just isn't my thing i guess. It really annoys me though because college isn't one 4 hour long test. For my sake, i hope you're wrong. I'm unique and i hope it showed. I agree with AgentW that the uniqueness of the applicants (that X factor that each student needs to bring out in their applications) really starts to become important with the Ivy League schools... but the pool of students they care about is still in regards to the top scoring individuals as far as I know. I'm pretty sure the understanding is "Okay, a hundred kids all have 2400s on their SAT... now which of them has that X factor we want?" I don't think X factor > solid test scores. Regardless, good luck I hope I'm wrong ^^ Yea, you're probably right. Oh well
I agree with you that college isn't one 4 hour test. And as an SAT/ standardized test tutor, I could write a huge list of flaws that those tests have. But in general, that's as good a predictor of national, standardized high school proficiency for math and verbal skills that we have at the moment. Sucks
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On December 12 2012 12:53 darthfoley wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 12:44 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 12:34 darthfoley wrote:On December 12 2012 12:29 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything? Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so. May I ask what you scored on reading+math? I scored merely at 1300 flat on the CR/M. Idk man, it's really depressing. The SAT just isn't my thing i guess. It really annoys me though because college isn't one 4 hour long test. For my sake, i hope you're wrong. I'm unique and i hope it showed. I'm rooting for you, I truly am. But I'll tell you, April 1 is probably the most depressing day in high schools across America. Perhaps I've been hardened by the experience myself :'(. What other schools are you looking at? I'm applying to stanford, northwestern, cornell, richmond, amherst, middlebury, dickinson, f&m, rice, vanderbilt. The only thing positive about my SAT, I don't come from a... high performance SAT school. I hope that the 1940 doesn't look AS bad because my school avg is 1540. +400 If i were going to a school with an average of 2230 or something, i'd surely be screwed.
I think in out of 1600, so that 1540 average looks very differently in my eyes now. Dunno how much schools look at how poor your HS is unless it's really, really bad.
On December 12 2012 12:55 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 12:34 darthfoley wrote:On December 12 2012 12:29 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything? Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so. May I ask what you scored on reading+math? I scored merely at 1300 flat on the CR/M. Idk man, it's really depressing. The SAT just isn't my thing i guess. It really annoys me though because college isn't one 4 hour long test. For my sake, i hope you're wrong. I'm unique and i hope it showed. I agree with AgentW that the uniqueness of the applicants (that X factor that each student needs to bring out in their applications) really starts to become important with the Ivy League schools... but the pool of students they care about is still in regards to the top scoring individuals as far as I know. I'm pretty sure the understanding is "Okay, a hundred kids all have 2400s on their SAT... now which of them has that X factor we want?" I don't think X factor > solid test scores. Regardless, good luck I hope I'm wrong ^^
Sadly, I think your last point is correct.
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Welp, there's nothing I can do about it now anyways. Probably could've studied harder for the SAT, but the IB track really fucks up the SAT2s because its international curriculum doesn't account for having to take SAT2s after half the course...
ugh taking AP bio would've probably given me a 700+
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even if you don't get in, there's a lot of great schools that will accept you with those pros.
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I'd also like to point out that while it's not scoring you any points, being Caucasian is not hurting you much. What the Ivies really don't want more of are Asians and Jews. So as long as you are not Asian or Jewish, your race credentials are not too bad.
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On December 12 2012 12:56 darthfoley wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 12:55 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:On December 12 2012 12:34 darthfoley wrote:On December 12 2012 12:29 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything? Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so. May I ask what you scored on reading+math? I scored merely at 1300 flat on the CR/M. Idk man, it's really depressing. The SAT just isn't my thing i guess. It really annoys me though because college isn't one 4 hour long test. For my sake, i hope you're wrong. I'm unique and i hope it showed. I agree with AgentW that the uniqueness of the applicants (that X factor that each student needs to bring out in their applications) really starts to become important with the Ivy League schools... but the pool of students they care about is still in regards to the top scoring individuals as far as I know. I'm pretty sure the understanding is "Okay, a hundred kids all have 2400s on their SAT... now which of them has that X factor we want?" I don't think X factor > solid test scores. Regardless, good luck I hope I'm wrong ^^ Yea, you're probably right. Oh well
No matter how cynical or perhaps realistic DPB and I are, you absolutely cannot think like that. I had a friend in HS who wanted to G'Town so badly, but she always said she wouldn't get in. She didn't get in.
Half of the battle is fought before the battle begins. Faith is critical to success. Sometimes you will fail, but you cannot be expecting failure.
Also consider we haven't read your essays, letters etc. If they were truly wowing, they can get you where you want to go.
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On December 12 2012 13:03 ampson wrote:
I'd also like to point out that while it's not scoring you any points, being Caucasian is not hurting you much. What the Ivies really don't want more of are Asians and Jews. So as long as you are not Asian or Jewish, your race credentials are not too bad.
They don't ask if you're Jewish....
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On December 12 2012 13:04 AgentW wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 13:03 ampson wrote:
I'd also like to point out that while it's not scoring you any points, being Caucasian is not hurting you much. What the Ivies really don't want more of are Asians and Jews. So as long as you are not Asian or Jewish, your race credentials are not too bad. They don't ask if you're Jewish....
They can tell most of the time. And there is an optional religion category.
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On December 12 2012 13:05 ampson wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 13:04 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 13:03 ampson wrote:
I'd also like to point out that while it's not scoring you any points, being Caucasian is not hurting you much. What the Ivies really don't want more of are Asians and Jews. So as long as you are not Asian or Jewish, your race credentials are not too bad. They don't ask if you're Jewish.... They can tell most of the time. And there is an optional religion category.
Huh, I don't remember that. I'm assuming I filled it out now that I think about it. Hope that didn't affect my application.
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On December 12 2012 13:07 AgentW wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 13:05 ampson wrote:On December 12 2012 13:04 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 13:03 ampson wrote:
I'd also like to point out that while it's not scoring you any points, being Caucasian is not hurting you much. What the Ivies really don't want more of are Asians and Jews. So as long as you are not Asian or Jewish, your race credentials are not too bad. They don't ask if you're Jewish.... They can tell most of the time. And there is an optional religion category. Huh, I don't remember that. I'm assuming I filled it out now that I think about it. Hope that didn't affect my application.
It's not nearly as bad now as it used to be, but the Ivies, Harvard in particular, have a terrible history of discriminating against Jewish applicants simply because there are so many good ones (as well as a bit of anti-semetism). Nowadays it's the asians who are most screwed, as there are simply so many good ones and top universities still highly value diversity (they don't want an all Asian class). Jews and Asians are simply the highest-performing applicants, and as such must be even more amazing to stand out and be one of the few Jews/Asians admitted.
Where did you apply to, I'm curious
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On December 12 2012 13:03 AgentW wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 12:56 darthfoley wrote:On December 12 2012 12:55 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:On December 12 2012 12:34 darthfoley wrote:On December 12 2012 12:29 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:As I was reading down your list, I was really impressed with your Pros And then I was like Wow, your standardized test scores are crap Did you take the SAT more than once? Did you prepare or get tutored or anything? Exactly what I thought. Was really, really impressed by the pros, but my test scores beat his pretty handily, I went to a very good high school, did very well, extracurriculars etc. and didn't have a sniff at Harvard. I think the real chance he has is that big Ivys, like Harvard, don't necessarily care a ton about test scores, more the "uniqueness" factor that an applicant can bring. The real question, and I think this has been asked, is: are the scores good enough to not matter? Honestly, I don't think so. May I ask what you scored on reading+math? I scored merely at 1300 flat on the CR/M. Idk man, it's really depressing. The SAT just isn't my thing i guess. It really annoys me though because college isn't one 4 hour long test. For my sake, i hope you're wrong. I'm unique and i hope it showed. I agree with AgentW that the uniqueness of the applicants (that X factor that each student needs to bring out in their applications) really starts to become important with the Ivy League schools... but the pool of students they care about is still in regards to the top scoring individuals as far as I know. I'm pretty sure the understanding is "Okay, a hundred kids all have 2400s on their SAT... now which of them has that X factor we want?" I don't think X factor > solid test scores. Regardless, good luck I hope I'm wrong ^^ Yea, you're probably right. Oh well No matter how cynical or perhaps realistic DPB and I are, you absolutely cannot think like that. I had a friend in HS who wanted to G'Town so badly, but she always said she wouldn't get in. She didn't get in. Half of the battle is fought before the battle begins. Faith is critical to success. Sometimes you will fail, but you cannot be expecting failure. Also consider we haven't read your essays, letters etc. If they were truly wowing, they can get you where you want to go.
Those are good points.
And I'd also like to add that college is 100% what you make of it.
I have friends who went to Ivy League schools and felt they completely wasted their time and money. I have other friends who went to slightly lower ranked schools but felt they earned the most wonderful education, and had the times of their lives. While the piece of paper you get after 4 years might be slightly more prestigious if you go to Harvard, it won't mean shit if you don't actually learn how to become a responsible, well-educated, and well-rounded adult. And that's strictly up to how you spend your time at your university. It's up to you to define your college experience, and it can be amazing regardless of what college you end up at.
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On December 12 2012 13:10 ampson wrote:Show nested quote +On December 12 2012 13:07 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 13:05 ampson wrote:On December 12 2012 13:04 AgentW wrote:On December 12 2012 13:03 ampson wrote:
I'd also like to point out that while it's not scoring you any points, being Caucasian is not hurting you much. What the Ivies really don't want more of are Asians and Jews. So as long as you are not Asian or Jewish, your race credentials are not too bad. They don't ask if you're Jewish.... They can tell most of the time. And there is an optional religion category. Huh, I don't remember that. I'm assuming I filled it out now that I think about it. Hope that didn't affect my application. It's not nearly as bad now as it used to be, but the Ivies, Harvard in particular, have a terrible history of discriminating against Jewish applicants simply because there are so many good ones (as well as a bit of anti-semetism). Nowadays it's the asians who are most screwed, as there are simply so many good ones and top universities still highly value diversity (they don't want an all Asian class). Jews and Asians are simply the highest-performing applicants, and as such must be even more amazing to stand out and be one of the few Jews/Asians admitted. Where did you apply to, I'm curious
Harvard was the "shoot for the moon as a joke" school. Probably next most prestigious was Carnegie Mellon.
Those are good points.
And I'd also like to add that college is 100% what you make of it.
I have friends who went to Ivy League schools and felt they completely wasted their time and money. I have other friends who went to slightly lower ranked schools but felt they earned the most wonderful education, and had the times of their lives. While the piece of paper you get after 4 years might be slightly more prestigious if you go to Harvard, it won't mean shit if you don't actually learn how to become a responsible, well-educated, and well-rounded adult. And that's strictly up to how you spend your time at your university. It's up to you to define your college experience, and it can be amazing regardless of what college you end up at.
This.
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I think towards the end of senior year most people (at least those who are somewhat mature) really begin to understand how meaningless college admissions processes usually are. There are both terrifically underqualified and overqualified people at every school, and yes, college is ultimately what you make of it. Getting into a school is only the beginning--doing well in college is the challenge ahead. I trust that by the end of your first quarter/semester and finals you'll have seen the big picture--what was this fuss about admissions in the first place?
I went through this time myself and it's something everyone goes through, just don't take it too seriously either way.
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=204700¤tpage=4#75
PS I neglected to mention that I was also a National Merit Finalist 
look where that got me
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Just for added emphasis: This!
Where you end up, as long as it is a decent school really doesn't matter. Just make the best of it. Go to office hours, get to know your professors, do interesting extracurricular activities, start thinking about your career interests early in college, so you can do activities that pertain to them. Take advantage of programs that hook you up with alumni in the fields that you are interested in. Get to know what the typical career path is for the fields you're interested in.
Basically, anywhere you go you'll be fine if you do the above things.
On December 12 2012 12:17 DarkPlasmaBall wrote:
And I'd also like to add that college is 100% what you make of it.
I have friends who went to Ivy League schools and felt they completely wasted their time and money. I have other friends who went to slightly lower ranked schools but felt they earned the most wonderful education, and had the times of their lives. While the piece of paper you get after 4 years might be slightly more prestigious if you go to Harvard, it won't mean shit if you don't actually learn how to become a responsible, well-educated, and well-rounded adult. And that's strictly up to how you spend your time at your university. It's up to you to define your college experience, and it can be amazing regardless of what college you end up at.
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Haha I was once like one of you guys.. Near-perfect SAT, top of my class, took something like 15 AP classes. Ended up getting rejected not only by all the Ivies, but every school except my safest safety school. I love my school though and I wouldn't trade it for a shot to go to any "prestigious" Ivy League university. In the end nobody cares about where you got your degree, including employers and grad schools. I hope you guys don't think your rejections too seriously, I know I had many sleepless nights after I got all letters back.
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Another question for the OP? How the hell do you have time to play SC2/Dota2? You do so much stuff!
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Good luck! Let us know what happens
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On December 12 2012 13:29 AgentW wrote:
Another question for the OP? How the hell do you have time to play SC2/Dota2? You do so much stuff!
Ha, I am a SC2 player. I split my time really between school/ec/video games. However, the last half of JR year and my whole senior year has been so busy, i've REALLY stepped down my playing. I was top 8 diamond consistently before this year, now i just play HoTS for fun. Perhaps that will change after all my apps are done.
I really appreciate all the feedback, guys. I just want to make my school proud honestly. We had one black girl get into harvard 3 years ago, and that's about it. Only one other person in my entire class (313) is applying to any Ivy school. My school is pretty unambitious...
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On December 12 2012 13:29 AgentW wrote:
Another question for the OP? How the hell do you have time to play SC2/Dota2? You do so much stuff!
You just get used to it lol, I'm on TL while doing 3 labs before finals, turned in my TOK Essay that I bullshitted the shit out of, have to finish history, etc. You just fucking do it. I wish my GPA was higher though, I really suck dick at testing -_-.
EDIT: OH btw, I'm jewish. FUCKING STUPID, OMFG WHY DO THEY HATE ME SO MUCH GAHHH. ARGGGGGG. My first choice is Stanford and I'm pretty sure their 5% acceptance rate is not keen towards my kind lol.
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I just got rejected from Caltech on the sole grounds that I haven't done research in high school or done a math competition. Don't worry about not getting into your favorite school, just look past it and try and achieve another goal.
For me it is getting into Caltech for grad school (which is why I wanted to go there in the first place lol).
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On December 12 2012 13:29 AgentW wrote:
Another question for the OP? How the hell do you have time to play SC2/Dota2? You do so much stuff!
I don't do really any extracurriculars because of coursework, so last week (kinda a busy week but still pretty normal) I would come home at 2:50, do homework until around 5:30 or 6, eat dinner, homework until 9 or 10, then play stuff till midnight.
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Can't believe its been a year since I did all this! I actually remember you from a year ago, too.
that SAT score might hurt you (it certainly hurt me I think), but honestly I think your personal statements are a lot more important. Acceptances are more how unique you are from others and that shows the most in the statements and not in your stats. Also you'll find that very little of that will matter when you get to college :p.
I was certainly disappointed not getting into Notre Dame (I was so bitter that my anger turned into an undefeated season lol), but after a semester, I wouldn't trade my time at U of I for anything.
I've met the best people and made so many friends, learned so much about myself, etc. Even now as I'm taking a study break from finals studying I'm really appreciating the circumstances that made me come here.
So don't stress. You'll get in wherever you're meant to be, its all on you to make it the best you can.
Also don't go into debt
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If this guy makes you feel bad, go to College Confidential. T_T_T_T_T Good thing I'm not aiming for an Ivy or I'd be severely depressed from reading their 2400 SAT's/4.0/tons of extracurriculars/hooks.
@OP GL on getting accepted . Realistically I don't think you'll make it but you never know.
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you're probably fine
its not like they fill the entire class with perfect SAT people, they want diversity, and you have some really solid extracurriculars and fine academics, especially if you're from a low-regarded highschool, they'll like that
I think you have all necessary qualifications, the thing with Ivies is, once you have good enough scores and extracurriculars and stuff, it's all random from there. If you're not accepted, it's not because you weren't qualified enough, just someone else caught their eye for something random, cuz they get so many qualified applicants
also remember even if you don't make early action, you can apply again. I personally applied early decision to Princeton and was deferred. I spent a couple weeks really pissed off, then got another rec letter and wrote an "update to application" letter and lo-and-behold, I was accepted during the regular round
on that note, if the EA at Harvard doesn't work, apply to Princeton! We desperately need good football players......
edit: whatever you do don't go to college confidential, that site will just make your anxiety worse, I guarantee it
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On December 12 2012 16:15 jubil wrote:
edit: whatever you do don't go to college confidential, that site will just make your anxiety worse, I guarantee it
^ Yeah haha don't do it. Especially after taking the SAT/ACT's then you get to know all the answers you got wrong and why you got them wrong.
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I got rejected from University of Florida with a 1590 (of 1600) SAT score and 4.8 GPA and being a legacy with a large list of extra curriculars. sometimes you are just not the person they are looking for.
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I'll be rooting for you, your essay topic sounds really interesting, i'm curious if that's a literal or figurative title.
P.S. i.e. is "in other words". e.g. is "for example".
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On December 12 2012 23:54 thoraxe wrote:
I'll be rooting for you, your essay topic sounds really interesting, i'm curious if that's a literal or figurative title.
P.S. i.e. is "in other words". e.g. is "for example".
damn, thanks for the quick english lesson, i'll take it on board.
It wasn't literal. It was about an overnight trip in Belgium (when i lived there) where we slept in a monastery, attended mass, basically lived the life of a monk for 2 days. It is a lot more interesting than it probably sounds (at least i hope so). It was also cool because i'm atheist, so getting to understand a religion first hand was pretty eye opening.
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Good luck on your remaining college applications!
Also I highly recommend not choosing a school solely due to its "prestige" or ranking in USNews. While doing so may not necessarily mean you'll have a bad college experience, there are many other important factors, including those not directly related to academics, to consider.
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On December 14 2012 15:42 Cool Cat wrote:
Good luck on your remaining college applications!
Also I highly recommend not choosing a school solely due to its "prestige" or ranking in USNews. While doing so may not necessarily mean you'll have a bad college experience, there are many other important factors, including those not directly related to academics, to consider.
Thank you. I am very aware that there are other factors. I hope the rest of the admissions process goes smoother!
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I'm so sorry man...
Hopefully this wasn't your ultimate goal? You didn't put all of your eggs in to the Harvard basket, did you?
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1. There's still regular admission.
2. It's fucking Harvard! Their admission rate is like 7%! For every fifteen kids, there's thirteen others like you. Don't sweat it.
3. Go get the rest of them.
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United States10328 Posts
On December 12 2012 16:15 jubil wrote:
edit: whatever you do don't go to college confidential, that site will just make your anxiety worse, I guarantee it
Heh, College Confidential is the biggest cesspool of angst on the internet (and by corollary, the best place to troll)
Anyway, to sound less heartless: I'm sorry you didn't get in. Don't worry too much. Find somewhere that's good at what you think you'll study (these don't have to be Ivies!) I guess if you're a football player, you want somewhere with a decent football program too. (Taking the December SAT might have also helped, but oh well.)
Good luck!
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EPT
