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For those top students who are disappointed by rejections and probably experiencing academic "failure" for the first time, just keep a few things in mind:
1. Assuming you applied smartly (ie not just HYPSM) you will likely gain admittance to one of the top universities in the country.
2. Your college doesn't define you, it's what you make out of your opportunities, and believe me they are endless at any top school.
3. Even if you feel like you're "settling" by going to a "lesser" school than whatever your dream school was, chances are that you'll find a ton of people at that school that are more driven, more talented, and more intelligent than you. Don't underestimate the caliber of students at any of the top schools or else you'll suddenly find yourself an average or below average student.
4. Once you decide on a school to attend, forget about the rejections or other schools you turned down. Don't wallow in misery and bitterness that you aren't attending your dream school. If you give your school a fair chance, you'll probably end up loving wherever you attend. |
On April 01 2013 01:27 Abstinence wrote:Show nested quote +On March 31 2013 10:30 ticklishmusic wrote:
does anyone know about the crowding problems at berkeley? what crowding problems
I don't think it's too crowded although it is a very large school. If you are looking towards grad schools though and you do come here, make sure you try to get research opportunities and stuff here. They are relatively easy to find as long as you keep talking to people. I have friends who help out research at LBNL(the national lab near here). I'm actually graduating from Berkeley this semester and will be going to UChicago for graduate school so don't think your opportunities are limited from here  .
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Not going to ask this on CollegeConfidential because I don't like them. Random admissions question from a junior. Doesn't deserve its own thread and I don't know where else I could posit this question on TL.
If any of you currently attend MIT or Caltech, this is directed to you. Is making the USNCO national exam a big deal (and will a 57/60 on the local get me recognition)? Is top 150 on the national exam considered pretty good at these schools, or should I try to make the study camp for the IChO, which is top 20? This is as a prospective chemistry major at those two schools.
Also, would the latter half of my summer be better spent doing research in preparation for hopefully entering in the Intel STS and Siemens competitions or focusing on some nifty programming project? I visited MIT recently and loved it, and I really want to go there.
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On April 01 2013 02:15 Recognizable wrote:Show nested quote +On April 01 2013 02:07 Xxazn4lyfe51xX wrote:On March 31 2013 07:07 tutsicockroach wrote:
my friend got 2400 for his SAT I and for his SAT II he got 800 for maths II, 760 for literature and 800 for physics. He applied for engineering and got rejected from every single ivy league uni he applied to, he was finally accepted to stanford and accepted.
he suspects he got rejected cause his extra-curriculars were below average. also, he's australian and applied as an international student -- not sure if that hurt his chances. Probably to his suspicions, almost certainly yes to the international application. Is being an international student a disadvantage? I friend of mine who isn't particularly smart with very average SAT scores got into UCSB.
Hate to say it, but absolutely yes for the the "higher ranked" schools. Being Asian and an international student myself, I was extremely lucky on top of being extremely lucky in the first place to get in, because my school had no EA/ED when I applied, and regular decision percentages are crazy. People claim internationals lack "extracurricular" activities, and in some cases yes - but that's because their cultures/societies have different barriers; not everyone has access to sports/MUN/debate/student gov/whatnot. As such, we all know that we've got fewer areas that we can excel in, and as such, competition in those areas is ridiculous, and is therefore that much harder to shine.
For example, this kid I knew in my class (but tbh hated) got 2400 SAT 1, 800s on his SAT 2s, 5's on several APs (our school offered like 1 AP), and did very well in school (top 10 in grade). He didn't get into anything in the Ivies (unlucky, but great, cuz that arrogant bast really needed to shut up about himself). I had the same test scores with a few more 5s and was ranked better, but basically sacrificed my entire life outside of high school to enroll part-time in university higher-level math classes, 5 varsity sports, math competitions, volunteer work, honor band, etc... and ended up very lucky. Clearly I had more opportunities than the average international student... but the point is, it's so tough. US kids are "supposed" to have a life out of school. International kids... forget it. Party in college.
TL;DR - If you're an international student out there, yes - it's extremely unfair, but you've gotta work so much harder to stand out. Schools seem to have unofficial caps, and that's just the reality of US universities.
Complain all you like, but the reality is - put that energy into working hard, or nowhere at all. Accept it and try to succeed, or reject it and fail. This system will hopefully eventually be righted, but it likely won't be by the time you've applied.
On a lighter note - if you were an international student, and you didn't buy your way into a good college - a million congratulations!!! Many Americans don't understand why this is such an amazing thing for us... but your families will know. Seriously, I've never seen my family more happy than the day I got into college... I'm sure a lot of the Asians here will agree
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Late thing, just got a bunch of college acceptances. Good things come to those who wait I guess. I got into RPI and University of Miami, Hofstra and St. John's College. Damn, so late too.
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99% sure I'm going to tufts! anyone else going/ anyone there with any wisdom?
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So I'm pretty decided on Berkeley now. By any chance, is anyone familiar with the fall program for freshmen (http://fpf.berkeley.edu/) and how quickly it fills up/whether I'm basically ensured a spot if I sign up on the opening date?
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probably college of william and mary for me
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On April 06 2013 16:23 slyderturtle wrote:
99% sure I'm going to tufts! anyone else going/ anyone there with any wisdom?
I'm on the waiting list for them, so I might see you there :D, but for real, that place is amazing. You are gonna have an awesome time.
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CU Boulder baby! Lets go Buffs!
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Okay so I'm from California and I've applied to most of the UC schools and I was wondering if anyone else had gotten any word from any of the schools yet? I haven't gotten any acceptance/denial letters yet...
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Have you checked your email and the respective websites for the schools? AFAIK, the last decisions (Berkeley) came out on the 28th, online. At least UCLA and Cal decisions can be seen on their websites. I also got snail mail stuff later though. If there's still nothing you might want to contact admissions or something.
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On April 08 2013 22:19 iaeuy wrote:
Have you checked your email and the respective websites for the schools? AFAIK, the last decisions (Berkeley) came out on the 28th, online. At least UCLA and Cal decisions can be seen on their websites. I also got snail mail stuff later though. If there's still nothing you might want to contact admissions or something.
I didn't apply to those schools, but I did receive an email from UCSB saying that they will be sending decisions until the end of this month. Was just wondering if anyone has heard from them yet 
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I just got accepted into Oklahoma State University after doing 2 years at a community college here in Oklahoma, not quite as impressive as some people here who are just coming out of high school and such because I had to do community college because I royally screwed up my first 2 years of high school grade wise. Just happy to actually make it into a University now after taking a different path then some people.
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On April 06 2013 21:47 docvoc wrote:Show nested quote +On April 06 2013 16:23 slyderturtle wrote:
99% sure I'm going to tufts! anyone else going/ anyone there with any wisdom? I'm on the waiting list for them, so I might see you there :D, but for real, that place is amazing. You are gonna have an awesome time.
Thought about applying to Tufts (did a Tufts summer program in France) but I wanted to play football...and their team hasn't won a game in 3 years.
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Anyone gonna be at Franklin & Marshall tomorrow?
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On April 06 2013 05:39 Chocolate wrote:
Not going to ask this on CollegeConfidential because I don't like them. Random admissions question from a junior. Doesn't deserve its own thread and I don't know where else I could posit this question on TL.
If any of you currently attend MIT or Caltech, this is directed to you. Is making the USNCO national exam a big deal (and will a 57/60 on the local get me recognition)? Is top 150 on the national exam considered pretty good at these schools, or should I try to make the study camp for the IChO, which is top 20? This is as a prospective chemistry major at those two schools.
Also, would the latter half of my summer be better spent doing research in preparation for hopefully entering in the Intel STS and Siemens competitions or focusing on some nifty programming project? I visited MIT recently and loved it, and I really want to go there.
I'm guessing that USNCO = US National Chemistry Olympiad.
For reference, MIT recruits directly out of the International Physics Team, so I'm guessing that Chemistry is no different. If you can make something like IMO equivalent, you'd be in an incredible position to get accepted anywhere.
As for research projects, as long as you accomplish something significant and perhaps win some good prizes, you'll be in a good position to get accepted anywhere. I'd recommend science fair type stuff over programming if you're going for a chemistry major.
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On April 12 2013 11:32 darthfoley wrote:Show nested quote +On April 06 2013 21:47 docvoc wrote:On April 06 2013 16:23 slyderturtle wrote:
99% sure I'm going to tufts! anyone else going/ anyone there with any wisdom? I'm on the waiting list for them, so I might see you there :D, but for real, that place is amazing. You are gonna have an awesome time. Thought about applying to Tufts (did a Tufts summer program in France) but I wanted to play football...and their team hasn't won a game in 3 years.
Get any offers for football?
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On April 12 2013 11:55 pikagrue wrote:Show nested quote +On April 06 2013 05:39 Chocolate wrote:
Not going to ask this on CollegeConfidential because I don't like them. Random admissions question from a junior. Doesn't deserve its own thread and I don't know where else I could posit this question on TL.
If any of you currently attend MIT or Caltech, this is directed to you. Is making the USNCO national exam a big deal (and will a 57/60 on the local get me recognition)? Is top 150 on the national exam considered pretty good at these schools, or should I try to make the study camp for the IChO, which is top 20? This is as a prospective chemistry major at those two schools.
Also, would the latter half of my summer be better spent doing research in preparation for hopefully entering in the Intel STS and Siemens competitions or focusing on some nifty programming project? I visited MIT recently and loved it, and I really want to go there. I'm guessing that USNCO = US National Chemistry Olympiad. For reference, MIT recruits directly out of the International Physics Team, so I'm guessing that Chemistry is no different. If you can make something like IMO equivalent, you'd be in an incredible position to get accepted anywhere. As for research projects, as long as you accomplish something significant and perhaps win some good prizes, you'll be in a good position to get accepted anywhere. I'd recommend science fair type stuff over programming if you're going for a chemistry major.
I took the test today and I don't think I made it to the team. USNCO national exam is the USAPhO equivalent, though a little less selective. There are, however, a lot of different accolades you can get from the USNCO. I think I probably made top 150 out of the approximately 1000 that took the test, which has its own award. I fucked up completely on the non-multiple choice sections so the team or IChO seems to be out of the running Do you think top 150 would be somewhat important to them, or not good enough?
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On April 13 2013 04:51 autoexec wrote:Show nested quote +On April 12 2013 11:32 darthfoley wrote:On April 06 2013 21:47 docvoc wrote:On April 06 2013 16:23 slyderturtle wrote:
99% sure I'm going to tufts! anyone else going/ anyone there with any wisdom? I'm on the waiting list for them, so I might see you there :D, but for real, that place is amazing. You are gonna have an awesome time. Thought about applying to Tufts (did a Tufts summer program in France) but I wanted to play football...and their team hasn't won a game in 3 years. Get any offers for football?
Nothing D1. I'll be playing at either Franklin&Marshall, Dickinson, or Middlebury (if I get in off the waitlist).
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On April 06 2013 05:39 Chocolate wrote:
Not going to ask this on CollegeConfidential because I don't like them. Random admissions question from a junior. Doesn't deserve its own thread and I don't know where else I could posit this question on TL.
If any of you currently attend MIT or Caltech, this is directed to you. Is making the USNCO national exam a big deal (and will a 57/60 on the local get me recognition)? Is top 150 on the national exam considered pretty good at these schools, or should I try to make the study camp for the IChO, which is top 20? This is as a prospective chemistry major at those two schools.
Also, would the latter half of my summer be better spent doing research in preparation for hopefully entering in the Intel STS and Siemens competitions or focusing on some nifty programming project? I visited MIT recently and loved it, and I really want to go there.
I don't go to MIT or Caltech,but I go to a similarly prestigious school and I did Chemistry Olympiad in high school.
Top 150 on national exam doesn't really mean too much, but it's certainly nice. I know somebody who got Top 50, with perfect SATs etc., who didn't get in to either school. Chemistry Olympiad alone really won't guarantee your admission into either school I think, unless you're on the IChO team, and even then other factors still matter.
Also for the second part, it's up to you. It depends on how good of a research project you can get or what programming project you'll be doing.
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EPT
