Is there anyone with incredible ECs (e.g., state/national champion in multiple prestigious competitions out of hundreds of thousands of participants, as well as many others which I will not name for privacy reasons, but this is just an idea of the level of ECs I’m talking about) who ultimately were not accepted to any GLADCHEMMS school despite showing great fit?
If so, would you please tell me more and explain why you think you weren’t admitted?
Apologies if I sound egotistical. I submitted my applications recently and am waiting for March 10th. I’m really scared, and I know there probably isn’t much I can do at this point to improve my application, but I just want to know what you think.
No national awards here, but pretty sure anything is possible. It will likely be a great boost but schools are looking for more than just recognition. Congrats on your amazing accomplishments!
Maybe they don’t like your socks. Maybe your cologne is bad. Maybe the piano is out of the fashion and the kazoo is all the rage. Maybe they already have a team of X winners because all the trophy winners are already at their school, are applying to their school, and are the children of their faculty. Maybe a kazoo-playing, trophying-holding, good smelling, great sock having, modest mannered, student of unimpeachable virtue has an uncle who just donated a building.
You can’t know. But I guarantee somebody like that is out there. So return to your normal life and routine and wait for admission and hope for the best. Make a back up plan like everyone else. There are many talented kids out there. Read a book.
Awards/ECs are just one part of the application. Of course, they can help a lot, especially if you’re one of the top in that field. In my opinion, most Admissions Committees look for kids who fit into their school, not just kids who have good Awards/ECs. My suggestion would be to relax, focus on something else, and find something you enjoy—whether it’s a book or a new subject you want to learn about.
I doubt that anyone here could say anything to make you feel substantially less anxious about your application. Let the chips fall where they may.
Also not everyone has the same opportunities for ECs, competitions, etc. and I’m sure the admissions teams keeps that in mind. I suggest that you don’t compare yourself to others if that’s something that you’re doing.
I don’t think you sound arrogant. You are anxious despite what sounds like amazing accomplishments. This is the opposite of arrogant imo. Obviously no one here knows, but I have a fair amount of lived experience in this area and I think you have a very good shot, especially if you don’t need FA. If you need FA it gets little stickier depending on the school, but I think someone will bite and you will have an option. My only advice, if you are FA, is really don’t get too hung up on the prestige of the schools. If a school can meet your needs so you can excel at your thing, that is really all that matters. It can be good to stand out even if you are already a stand out.
I would say think if you are looking for moral support reddit might be a more congenial place to ask questions like this because you will be more likely to be talking to your peers who will be sympathetic.
In the same boat here. Not regarding the level of achievement (btw great job!) but just mulling over my chances, even though there’s nothing to be done now. If you haven’t already, you could read through the stats/ec threads for recent years. Might not answer your question exactly, but it’s one of the best resources for this kinda thing.
However, I’d actually recommend reading through the freakout threads. They’re really long and match the vibe we’re feeling right now. Whenever you’re feeling anxious about the impending results, pop on here and start back where you left off. That’s what I’m doing, and I’m about to reach M10 in the 2023 one .
I wish you the very best of luck. If you plan on doing them, I’ll be looking for you in the 2024 stats and decisions threads. Only 43 days left!
Based on my reading of your prior post you seem to be very accomplished, while having strong determination and good executive functioning skills- a product of you efforts, upbringing and your age. So if rest of application is equally good you should hopefully get into at least one if not more of your targets. Focus on your schools and your EC’s. CC may not be able to predict much more than this. So good luck to you. See you on M10!
Sorry for the late reply, and thank you all for your advice! I will take them to heart and follow them to the best of my ability.
I sincerely apologize if I sounded arrogant at any time. I’m just really anxious and nervous right now because I have heard how competitive GLADCHEMMS schools are to get into, and I know I’m competing against many truly incredible applicants.
Again, thank you all for the replies! Good luck to all applying; may we all succeed on March 10th.
This was a few years ago but my nephew was waitlisted by 10 schools and outright rejected by 2: All GLADCHEMMS and two similar. Straight As and 98% SSAT, great extracurriculars (one was written up in the NYTs) applying for 9th grade. Asian American.
He was rejected bc of financial aid, we think. But not 100% certain.
The piece that got written up in the NYT was about a weird niche hobby that makes for an interesting read in the lifestyle section. Kid is very inventive, genuine and interesting as well as having top grades/test scores/etc. at the top local day school which is why we think he did so well in his college acceptances.
He is not an athlete nor does he play an instrument. Does not run a nonprofit or spent summers working in a lab: Guess for an Asian American applying to Ivy+, this is unusual. Lol!
Thanks for sharing! Schools generally consider whether a student would truly be better off at BS or at a local day school. Often, students pursuing niche activities will have challenges with those at BS due to scheduling, other requirement, etc. A friend whose D was a top gymnast encountered this – there was no way she could continue that at BS. If those things really matter to a student, BS really may not be a great option.
This story is a good reminder of how/why schools seek fit AND that there are many paths to success – not getting into the school of your choice doesn’t mean you’re not fabulous nor that you’re doomed to lesser things.
Nephew quit his hobby (#1 in the world for his age group at one time) in middle school so I very much doubt the rejection had anything to do with him being better off at the local day school. His father was rejected when he applied to the same schools too. Dad went to Dartmouth.
No we think it was definitely asking for too much financial aid.
Our family has a long history of being rejected by GLANCHEMMS. Three generations. Lol! Although my son got a big kick out of talking about it during his interviews. He’ll be the first if he gets in:)
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