<p>I constantly find myself with an elevated heart rate and ragged breathing when Im at this site. haha all of these super qualified applicants just crank up my stress levels I guess</p>
<p>yes 10charr</p>
<p>reading everyone with amazing grades and scores and people telling them they have no chance getting into where they want to go freaks me out sooo much</p>
<p>YES!! Just simply searching for colleges freaks me out…!</p>
<p>Actually, no.</p>
<p>I use CC as a study break. </p>
<p>Then again, maybe it relieves tension because my current to-do list consists of such items as writing 10 essays, self-studying 5 AP’s, trying to make sure my current, tough courseload doesn’t fall apart, fighting my parents to let me do PSEOP and go to college where I want, caring for an aging grandmother and an out of control yard (I live in the country), and still trying to make time to get a girlfriend before my senior year is over, in addition to other oddball events like holidays, Homecoming Court, standardized testing, etc.</p>
<p>My life sucks right now. I use this as a way to remind myself of my well-deserved future break (I hope).</p>
<p>If you focus on the silly threads of narcissistic braggadocios (i.e., “Help…I can’t find any colleges who want me and I have a 2250 SAT and a 4.0 UW gpa, what can I do?”) then yes, it will get you down. </p>
<p>If you look for threads of people in your situation, or looking at the same colleges, you may well find solace, comfort and compassion. </p>
<p>Take college admissions with a grain of salt. Its not necessarily a fair process with too many “seats” held open for “athletes” and others, like legacy or people of wealth who can stroke a big check for tuition and make a huge capital campaign donation at the same time, or the “diversity agenda” crowd (not that diversity is bad…it isnt…its just that many of these applicants get both accepted with lesser scores and often receive huge financial packages while the normal middle class gets hammered or gets waitlisted or rejected.)</p>
<p>Life isnt fair. Doesn’t make it right, it just makes it reality. So you learn to plan with a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. And roll with the punches.</p>
<p>Its also a gross mischaracterization to say that you will only be successful or only be happy if you get into your top choice school with a boatload of money. That is simply not true. The real truth is that much of what happens to you in life is within your own control (though some clearly is not…its all in how you respond to events). So if you get dumped by school A, then move on to school B with a smile and be grateful. </p>
<p>My D1 got hammered by top three choices, quite unjustifiably 3 years ago. It was very unfair, particularly seeing who they DID accept (and knowing that 2 or 3 of those people who did get in, subsequently bombed or transfered away!). But she is at a very good school, excelling…and the best revenge is HUGE SUCCESS. (Not bragging, just saying that sometimes Plan B or Plan C is really what is best for you anyway). </p>
<p>We look back at Plan A schools and chuckle…“silly people…look who they accepted and look what happened!”. </p>
<p>This site is full of all kinds of elitists and narcissists. Ignore them. You really wouldnt be happy being their “classmates” anyway. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>thanks ghostbuster</p>
<p>Ghostbuster, that was a really great post. It’s good to see there’s at least one college parent that isn’t fixated on having their child attend the top school in the country whether they’ll be happy or not</p>
<p>when you see applicants that are seemingly better than you in all regards, you have to look at the positives. </p>
<p>Like a friend of mine in college is a freaking genius and a ladies man to boot. It’s hard not to get a bit jealous sometimes. But I eventually realized that I have a lot of things he doesn’t have. </p>
<p>it’s harder to tell people’s flaws on CC than in real life. just know that these people aren’t perfect, though. they’re probably pretty far from it, in fact.</p>
<p>Oh god… I just joined today and I already feel like a failure.</p>
<p>haha im sorry dude</p>
<p>My pleasure…and glad I could help put it all in perspective, both the admissions process and this site. Just focus on being yourself and finding schools that are your best fit, not necessarily the a reach school. Some kids make it to reach schools and do great. Good for them. But often they are miserable and want out. These next four years are too important and also your last chance to be free spirited and explore new ideas. You want your college years to be fun, not a drudgery. I am not saying its supposed to be frat parties and football games at State U. To the contrary, I am advocating a lot of hard work, really challenging courses and doing your best. But balance in your lives with fun times, meeting new people and just growing up a well adjusted person.</p>
<p>Some colleges want you to think they are the cat’s PJ’s and better than everyone else. That is not the case. You can walk on a campus and generally feel the culture and the “air” around you. If its not you and you feel uncomfortable, then exit quickly and move on. And don’t just fall for the pretty buildings either. A nice campus is very much a part of the experience, but its not the only thing. How happy are the students? Stressed out? </p>
<p>Some students thrive in that intense environment, and others fold up like a lawn chair. </p>
<p>There are plenty of really good colleges out there where you will thrive and be happy. </p>
<p>We’ve been through it. Good luck.</p>
<p>Well I’m not sure if it rise my blood pressure but searching for colleges and filling applications, meeting deadlines can definately be stressful but maybe in a way it can prepare for future workload in college, interships, jobs etc…</p>
<p>I think this site perpetuates a rather unhealthy mindset that life is about competition - you feel crappy because someone got one point higher on their ACT than you, or had some bizarre math award that your school doesn’t offer and you’ve never even heard of… unfortunately, the college admissions process is largely a competition but it’s a lot less of a numbers game, I think, than what we make it - rather, it’s a comprehensive personality test that a lot of the more vapid people on here might fail. But even if they don’t, who cares? That’s what I’m trying to say here - contempt for those more fortunate or more intelligent or with better grades than you isn’t a healthy thing because there will always, ALWAYS be someone better than you, somewhere. All you can do is be the best that you can be and try not to worry about everyone else too much.</p>
<p>Comparing myself to the extraordinary students on this website can be painful; I often feel worthless when I see people who have successfully juggled 7+ AP classes, hundreds of hours of community service, and an entry-level job at a science lab or nonprofit. I have to catch myself and remember that they don’t have the same challenges I do.</p>
<p>This site kind of reminds me that I’m not a lifeless grade- and test-scoring machine. On the other hand, I have 2000 posts.</p>
<p>hmbeast: I would never suggest to be jealous or angry or full of angst about students with higher stats, more luck in admissions or seem perfect like Mary Poppins. I was simply saying that spending your time obsessing about them and the colleges that cater to them is a waste of energy and unproductive for YOU. I agree its unhealthy and one is far better off to be focused on their own personal strengths and finding a college that fits them much better. </p>
<p>Life is full of competitive events and opportunities and its a good idea to get used to it, and get used to the concept we can’t win everything…but that is okay. </p>
<p>My earlier point in my first post was to point out that a few of the kids who got into the reach schools (one at the school my D1 was waitlisted so unfairly) later transfered out or bombed out…as a reference that sometimes getting into the top school is not what it seems. </p>
<p>Every college admissions “season” has ups and downs and plenty of peculiar stories. Happens every year. Kids who don’t get in or kids who do get in. It is what it is.</p>
<p>My agenda has been to be as supportive as I can be for students (and parents) who are not in that 2300 SAT and 4.0 gpa UW situation, and remind them that plenty of schools would love to have them as students. There are even schools for kids with terrible SAT scores or other problems in their stats.</p>
<p>Yep, i’m with you guys…
all the people screaming rate my chances, what are my chances of getting into…, do you think i will get in…, etc etc
with their 2300+ scores, 4.0+ gpa, all aps (all 5s too, obviously), and a ton of accomplishments listed…</p>
<p>if i could only reach into my computer, through the net, and strangle their necks.</p>
<p>not rly, but still.
if i had those little gadgets that monitor your blood and gives you all the readings (what are they called, sphygmomanometer??), it’d probably be screaming like crazy at me, or… beeping.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>@ghostbuster: Sorry, I wasn’t in any way targeting you, if that’s what you thought. I agree with the points that you’re making!</p>
<p>Also look at other useful sites like students review.com and princetonreview.com for additional input on college selection.</p>