<p>It’s that time of year again. Anxious seniors sending in there apps., and hoping for the best. That’s really all they can do at this point. I’ve been reading a lot of “chance me” threads and would like to share my two cents, and hopefully, I’ll help out a few of you guys. </p>
<p>I know you guys. I was you. Since middle school you’ve been working for this. You’ve been working to build lives that you can be proud of. That is really one of the most noble things you can do as a person. To be able to look back and say, “I did that,” boy there’s not better feeling. You all know EXACTLY how hard you’ve worked. You know how many all nighters you’ve pulled, how many group projects you taken over, and how many late nights worrying you’ve been through to get here. So what would it tell you if you DIDN’T get into Cornell or Duke or Northwestern or Hopkins, or, God forbid, HYPSM? What would that tell you? The lessons each and every one of you have learned sice middle school are engrained in you. They are set. You’ve been to the mountain. You’ve foguht the good fight, taken your hits, and continued. With all do respect, who the hell cares about the adcomms at HYPSM? Do they define you? They seek to push the compnay line and boost ratings. I want you all to remember this: you are more than some ranking in USNWR. A UC-Berkely student is more than the “25” next to his school. The fact that you all can work as you have and toiled as you have, these are the lessons that matter. More than any intro. philosophy class at Yale, THAT is what matters. </p>
<p>Perhaps this was long winded, but the message is important. I did my time at school and I graduated. I worried like you guys and obsessed about my stats and scores and rankings. Not a second was worth it. Not one. Take my advice guys: put in the time, work until you can’t see straight, chart your course, send 'em in, but when you’re done, BE DONE. Know that your school doesn’t define you or how hard you worked to get where you are. </p>
<p>A lot of these “chance me” threds are more than they seem. Sure, you guys want a whole bunch of unqualified peers to give their two cents on your chances. Sure, you guys want a bunch of people who are probably fighting for the same school you are to give their “unbiased” opinions. But these threds are much more. You guys don’t really want legitimate chances, you want someone to tell you it’s been worth it. You’re looking for someone to tell you that the fight has been worth it, the studying has paid off, and you haven’t been wasting your time for four years. You guys don’t need to look to your peers for this. You guys have lived it. I’ve got news for you guys: all the studying, preping for tests, and note taking has been worth it. I promise it has not all been for nothing. </p>
<p>I wish you all the best in your applications.</p>