Chance Threads - A Tale of Caution

Lindagaf
Thu, 30 May 2019 12:10:48 +0000

For every chance me thread in which the student has high aspirations and manages to overcome the odds, there’s another thread in which the student underestimates his or her potential. There are students who don’t realize that they have compelling stories and interests, and who think there is no way they should aim that high.

A couple of years ago, I had a message out of the blue from a student I didn’t remember. He told me that thanks to my response, he felt encouraged to apply to his dream school, despite not being a “perfect” applicant. I had to go back and find the thread. That student had some very interesting ECs and his background was such that I felt he had a chance at more selective colleges.

Sure, stay away from the chance threads. I rarely look at chance posts. I do read posts from students who ask specific questions pertaining to their situation. Many students have no good source of personal feedback, so they come here. The tone of the OP seems to imply that you shouldn’t believe what you read here on CC because people who respond are clueless. Sometimes that is true, but it’s not unreasonable to assume that a lot of the people who post regularly on CC are not clueless and genuinely try to give good advice based on personal experience or being professionally involved in something related to higher education.