Drowning in anxiety. HELP!

neatoburrito
Tue, 30 Nov 2010 08:47:53 +0000

Also, don’t read the chance threads. They’re just silly. You do NOT have to be superhuman to be admitted to a top school. Sure, admissions people need to be comfortable that you can do the work, but they are really looking for kids that they would like to spend a LOT of time with. They’ve got to live with you guys, after all. After you’ve reached a certain academic benchmark (which is not all A’s and 99%tile ssat), it comes down to a lot of things that you simply cannot control.

I don’t know what schools you are looking at but please realize that there is an element of luck involved. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

When I’m feeling stressed out (about anything), I try to remember that I have control over some things and no control over other things. Worrying over the things that I can’t control leaves less energy for the things that I CAN control.

No school is a sure thing for any candidate and the top schools are reaches for everyone.

Perhaps it will make you feel better to know that there are plenty of kids, at top schools even, whose chance threads - if they would have made them - would not look so impressive. Chances are, they are just down to earth, earnest, sympathetic kids that the admissions officer decided would make a nice addition to their class. Or maybe, after reading their application, the committee felt they would really like to get to know that kid, so they admitted him. There is no formula for admissions to any school.

Present yourself as honestly as you can and you should be fine. Please stop worrying because your worrying is giving me anxiety and I know you really don’t want to do that, nice kid that you are and all. :)