Problem with these "chances" threads and the self appointed experts

holycow0515 · 08-01-2006, 08:16 PM

Most people try and give good faith answers to the "chances" questions posed and I suppose that this is partly what this site is supposed to be about. Nonetheless, I would like to share with you what i learned from my recent dinner with someone who has been an admissions officer at a top ivy for several years.

First and foremost I learned that everything is about context. What I mean by this is that credentials, particularly ECs cannot be evaluated as a laundry list. Stats, ECs, recs, essays, etc. cannot be evaluated individually. It is how they all interact, and the overall picture of you as a person that your application paints, that matters most. I left dinner absolutely convinced that COLLEGES ARE NOT CHOOSING LAUNDRY LISTS OF STATS AND ECs, THEY ARE CHOOSING HUMAN BEINGS.

The challenge in submitting a successful application is being able to convey who you are and why you are a person whose presence would enrich college X. So the next time some Bozo characterizes your ECs as weak do not be discouraged. Stay focused on honestly showing the adcom the person you are and how much you have to offer. You may find you do better than the person whose application reads, look at my stats and ecs, I must be the man.

neutralnuke · 08-01-2006, 08:47 PM

thanks!
your post has given me some hope

ramses88 · 08-01-2006, 08:48 PM

i don't think this is news to any of the more intelligent posters on this forum.

MissSuperFantastic · 08-01-2006, 08:53 PM

Even though when people post on chances threads they assume the OP is taking any comments with a grain of salt, glad this was said. This needs to be heard. It is all about who you are, not how many things have you done...it's what can you do, what can a college help you do, so you will become a rich and famous alumni and give back lots of money...LOL...ok...I went off on a tangent there. But yeah.

Take any evaluation of your "stats" with a grain of salt that any poster doesn't know "you"; they don't know the context.

Chances threads are just for kicks.

finale · 08-01-2006, 08:58 PM

I hope most people already understand what you have said. People on these threads aren't admissions officers. Over half of them have never gone through the admissions process before.

Dirt McGirt · 08-01-2006, 09:12 PM

I think it's crazy when kids in high school who haven't even gone through the process try to give people chances.

Calcruzer · 08-01-2006, 11:53 PM

Anyone (like finale above) who is saying that "People on these threads aren't admissions officers. Over half of them have never gone through the admissions process before" are obviously people who haven't been on this site (or at least on the "chances" forum) very long.

The fact of the situation is that most of the people on this site have been through the application process before--many at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Lots of the posters are parents like myself.

It is true that many are still in college (for example, A2 Wolves and flopsy)--but even in that case, they have done a very good job of researching the colleges they "chance" on. Also, many of the people on this site--while not adcoms--have met with adcoms before. Personally, I talked just yesterday with one of the adcoms in charge of admissions to the dental school at the University of California, San Francisco.

Lastly, is it your argument that the students are better off getting "no" feedback to their questions--or is it your argument that they should be aware that a general internet forum attracts all types of posters? Because if it's the first, then I'd say your being unrealistic, and if it's the second, then I'd say that you are providing info that all people on the internet should understand well by now.

ballerina · 08-02-2006, 12:23 AM

Parents? Usually, they're more clueless on "chances" than the students around here.

At least people like finale have gone through the admissions process recently. The fact is, the ones on the chances forum GIVING out advice are also ASKING for advice. They're just as blind and clueless. The parents/college students as you have mentioned only give extensive/worthwhile on a limited number of schools (ie. UC's). Where are the posters who've actually applied and have insight into the Ivy Leagues? (which quite frankly, are what most chances requesters on this site desire).

PS:
Congrats on Harvard finale

!