<p>I love learning, and I love science, but I have nothing to show for it. I’m what you call a “pretty good” student. I have straight A’s, took multivariable calc as a junior, and have decent test scores. My most impressive achievement was winning my state Economics Challenge this year. But I’m not happy. I applied to many prestigious summer programs like RSI, but I got rejected from them all. I applied for an internship at my local university, but I got rejected. Just for once I want to compete at the national level in some competition or win some science fair or even just get paid to do science. I’m working on my test scores, but even a 2400 on the SAT wouldn’t satisfy me. I put so much time into these competitions like Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, and Physics Olympiad, but the competition is just so stiff, and we don’t have any real coaches. What can I do now? Should I just stop trying? </p>
<p>Hmm. You could always try improving the coaching and/or moral in the competitions. You seem to really be into STEM (mostly science?), have you considered participating in Science Fair? If you haven’t, it’s an amazing opportunity to be able to do quality research and possibly go on to a regional, state, or international level for it. I used to not really put any effort into it back when it was required for science classes, but if you really have a passion for it, it’s not impossible to go far. That would also really establish you, I feel.</p>
<p>And don’t stop trying! At the very least, isn’t it better to have tried your best and missed by an inch than to have never tried at all? I mean stop and consider where you would be right now if you stopped trying a long time ago. I’m fairly sure you wouldn’t have straight A’s, and you wouldn’t have bothered to keep high test scores and take multivariable calculus. I’m a sophomore, so maybe I’m not in the position to speak, but I know that if I stopped trying now, i wouldn’t go as far as if I /did/ try, whether or not I ended up where I expected.</p>
<p>Okay. First off. You are smart. You are intelligent. Embrace it. Know it.</p>
<p>Education/learning isn’t all about winning and getting accepted to this or that institution. You’re a junior? Dude, you have a loonnnggg way to go. Why are you expecting SO much? It’s good to have high standards in life, but sometimes you need to just “let it go” (Frozen 
) and calm your inner greed, or shall I say, ambition.
You need to be happy and realize what accomplishments you have achieved thus far. Appreciate it.
If you are getting rejected from so many institutions, find out the reason WHY that is. Don’t just sit there, and be depressed about it. I don’t want to sound harsh, but if you’re not meeting the expectations of these programs, then that just means you need to work harder. Your straight A’s and decent test scores don’t mean much. It’s how you present yourself. Perhaps I’m just taking this in the wrong way, but it seems like you’re just confused about what you want. Please don’t stop trying…that’s just…not an option…
Anybody can be great. You ARE great right now. Your ambitions and lack of passion in life are just blinding you from realizing it. Cheer up. :)</p>
<p>If I did misunderstand you, I’m sorry 
</p>
<p>Getting rejected from summer programs and not winning a major competition hardly means you aren’t great. There are a lot of definitions of “being great” and I would never consider attending a summer program or something one of the factors that makes a person great.</p>
<p>You should NOT stop trying. Not because you are going to win, or going to have everything go your way, but because you want to! Life is not all about grades, test scores, and what you win. You seem to like science, work and enjoy it! You don’t need validation to live a happy life. Don’t put so much stock into how you look on paper, make yourself the best you can be not for college or recognition, but for yourself!</p>
<p>Keep going, you will do great. You have PLENTY of time.</p>