<p>@sally305 - But it does matter what I think when I am fed a news story that is partly suspect in premise. I am not a passive absorber of information; no one that I know is. I think about and analyze what I see. I would hope everyone does as well and if things do not match up, smart people should at least catch that and call it as they see it. If he does not want people to think about him and his accomplishments, then the smart thing is not tell people. </p>
<p>@awcntdb -
I am not. It is the fact that you keep attributing things to me that are not true that tells me you don’t understand. That’s OK. You think what you want.</p>
<p>@sally305 - I cannot answer that question because 1) our family is very private, and we do shut down public anything, so one cannot know what one has missed and 2) we do not subscribe to wanting fame and avoid it. That is a moral difference here. We do not and have never seeked that. Fame is fleeting, and I want my kids to have much deeper personal substance. </p>
<p>You are not being “fed” a news story. It’s pretty easy not to click on a link or read an article in print. Good lord. </p>
<p>@sally305 - I disagree on fed. It is easy not click a link once one knows, but I was “fed” and taken in by the INITIAL headline the first day and did not know it was not worth the click UNTIL I read the story. </p>
<p>But correct, after reading the first story after seeing the first headline, I did not click on anymore. It was tough though watching the news one day and clips of interviews were all over the place. But you are correct there too, I did click away after seeing the first 2 minutes of one interview and saw no more after that because I knew to avoid. </p>
<p>My only point is it requires knowledge to know to avoid, and I did have to do that first click and read.</p>
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<p>I agree. I find it really, really, REALLY mean spirited. It seems like this particular poster would be absolutely delighted if this kid is put in his place when he arrives at school and becomes convinced that he actually isn’t special in any way. </p>
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<p>Emphasis is mine.</p>
<p>I’m happy for this young man, and I think it was awesome that he got to be on David Letterman. Not many young people would turn down that opportunity. I don’t see him accepting that experience as evidence of any kind of “moral” failing. </p>
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<p>Why?! How does this affect you even one iota? </p>
<p>I’ve also gotta say, for the sake of the eight-Ivy kid, I hope he and your son don’t wind up at the same place. That a PEER to a top student–who has more in common than not with him–could also be so ungracious and judgmental is really sad.</p>
<p>Here’s the kind of student I hope Enin ends up knowing in college. </p>
<p><a href=“http://dailyprincetonian.com/opinion/2014/04/defending-kwasi-enin/”>http://dailyprincetonian.com/opinion/2014/04/defending-kwasi-enin/</a></p>
<p>From the above link:</p>
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<p>Isn’t that the truth?</p>
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<p>I guess he didn’t post his stats on CC, where we can assume he would have gotten a heavy dose of the above.</p>
<p>@Nrdsb4 </p>
<p>"You are comparing the “injustice” of small number of prospective students being rejected from 8 elite private schools in favor of “undeserving” URMs to taxation without representation, government corruption, etc. Wow.</p>
<p>The Ivy league schools are happy with the classes they are creating. They don’t have to change in order to suit a small number of disgruntled students and parents who are bitter that they are being “forced to accept less than they deserve.” They are NOT going to go to strictly GPA/SAT format of admissions. And in spite of that, their hallways are bursting with intelligent, qualified, creative, and enthusiastic students. There is no “problem” to solve. And really, society at large really doesn’t give a flip if a few college kids have got their panties in a wad because they didn’t get into an elite private school. There will be no revolution."</p>
<p>Thank you I totally I agree.That’s exactly what some people are missing here. </p>
<p>I wonder what would have happened if he “only” got accepted into 7 or 6. </p>
<p>It is also interesting that the people who criticized someone for applying to many of the Ivies (in one of the rejected threads) since (paraphrasing here) “not all Ivies are the same” “shows lack of focus” or “sounds like he was chasing prestige” are absent in this thread with that criticism. </p>
<p>fluffy, I don’t think it’s a good idea for anyone to apply to so many “name” schools, and this student’s list shows the same prestige emphasis that so many other kids here demonstrate. On the other hand, given his profile he was probably counseled to do exactly what he did. </p>
<p>@nrdsb4 Sure, the Ivies are happy about the classes they are creating. But I disagree that the larger segment of society doesn’t care about these “few college kids have got their panties in a wad”. The public cares, as shown by the wave of anti-AA legislation and litigation. First California banned AA, then Michigan banned AA, and, given enough time, I believe a majority of states will ban it. </p>
<p>Also, I do realize that comparing AA to government corruption and the Revolution is overboard. Hyperbole is a part of my writing style whether I want it to be there or not. But the point still stands: it is the right of people to be angry about unjust circumstances. There will not be a revolution, but like I said before, the anti-AA movement looks to be gaining steam.</p>
<p>@Suchwowmuchcool, did you NOT READ the moderator note about the direction this thread has taken?</p>
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<p>Good grief.</p>
<p>@sally305 - It would be just fine if they ended up in the same place. It is the classes and work that are the concerns at school. </p>
<p>Right. For ALL students. There is NOTHING in this kid’s profile to suggest he can’t handle the course rigor or assignments. Your “concern” for him does not come across as sincere.</p>
<p>@nrdsb4 Oops, sorry, you’re right, I didn’t read it. If I could delete, I would; I was just replying to you.</p>
<p>@sally305 - Really, no need to make up things I did not say. No where did I say he could not handle the work and no where did I say he should not have been admitted. Hyperbole is not necessary. </p>
<p>Fallenchemist – I still think it would be pretty exhausting for the guy who has been labelled as ‘the gang member’ to have to go to every sociology class and have the well-meaning professor ask, “So, as a former gang member, what do you think about this issue?” And it’s unlikely that we would ever end up with a critical mass of former gang members, so as to relieve the pressure on that one individual. I think that’s the problem with hooks and tips and the rest is that it appears to reduce everyone to some sort of simplistic stereotype. (“Let’s ask the conservative girl who said she really hopes she’ll get married and be able to stay home what she thinks about this character in the novel.” “Now let’s see what the gay guy thinks.”)
I’m saying this after watching my students today at a recruiting event on our campus where a recruiter told a student that he should apply for something even though he’s an evangelical Christian because “It’ll be good for diversity and all.” I can just picture the poor guy having to be the token Christian at every corporate event in the future – I wouldn’t want to be the token anything – the token woman, the token Jewish person, the token gay guy. I had a good friend who was the token black girl in many of her classes in the Ivy League back in the 1980’s and she wasn’t so fond of it either.</p>
<p>@DAVE_BERRY; Interesting to see his essay, and just like I expected, the essay did not cover the aspect of music that makes this candidate stand out, thus, going further to show that MOST Colleges especially the Selective ones, look at the “ENTIRE” applicant’s package before making decisions.
Kwasi on a TV interview last week, further disclosed that he plays 8 instruments, all at professional level.
Now if someone just reads the essay… it might seem just like any other average essay about music inspiration, but other things not discussed in the essay but included on other aspect of his application like: accomplishments or extracurriculars etc., definitely gives this applicant a closer look.
We have seen cases like this every year where academic stats does not mean very much to college admission officers, and this is not an exception. Stats alone would not have gotten Kwasi to one IVY let alone 8. However, with full details like this coming out, we now know why…“8 instruments all @ professional level; community service through music leadership, an interest in medicine, and backed that up with good SAT scores and GPA!!!”; now that is a kid I would want in my school if I was an admission officer.
Thanks for sharing this essay and story. I know I have learned a few things from this kid.</p>
<p>The essay isn’t very good. Everyone should be honest - being an URM was a huge help.</p>