<p>And clear-broth clam chowder.</p>
<p>And stuffies!</p>
<p>JRZMom: I think it’s nice that people from New Jersey don’t have to pump their own gas. It’s a hassle. What’s the other state that has the same law? Coffee-flavored milk sounds really good, by the way.</p>
<p>I <em>think</em> New Hampshire is the other state with that law…the only gas stations I’ve seen there have been full service.</p>
<p>Uroogla: One of my friends lives in New Hampshire. Like I said, it must be nice!</p>
<p>JRZMom: I think NY accents are the coolest! They sound awesome! </p>
<p>I’m trying to change my dialect. For example, I think people who say “either” with a long “i” sound so professional.</p>
<p>Oops, NY and NJ accents can be different!</p>
<p>Actually, the other state where it’s illegal to pump your own gas is Oregon. Strange, hm?</p>
<p>And yes, coffee milk is amazing.</p>
<p>bruno14: Yeah, that is strange, but I think it’s a law every state should have!</p>
<p>Today I was talking to my friend (she’s the one who applied to Yale) and she told me that she also applied to Brown. </p>
<p>I know that when I apply two years will have passed, but her applying (and possibly getting in) won’t affect my chances, will it?</p>
<p>This is a little unrelated but, if you’re really considering Brown ED, have you thought about attending Summer@Brown? (the courses for credit, not precollege). If you apply early, chances are that you could get a substantial aid (perhaps even a full scholarship). Sure, your parents would have to pay for travel, but that would be it, really. I think it’s the best way you can get to know the school and the rigor of classes since you’d be taking two Brown courses for credit. Although the environment over the summer is different, spending two months at your potential top choice school does wonders for your “why brown” essay, and if you do well in your courses, it can only help. Just thought I’d put it out there!</p>
<p>Laws banning self-serve are, in large part, bad-for-business government job creation measures. Something Bobby Jindal might think twice about :)</p>
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<p>If she gets in, goes, and flunks out – that could be bad.
If she gets in and does really well – that could be good.
Other than that, her application should have no impact on you.</p>
<p>Ha, in NJ all the relatives of the gas station owner have jobs. How can that be bad for business? </p>
<p>We also have the lowest or nearly the lowest gas prices in the country (lower costs of shipping from refinery; they are here).</p>
<p>The last time outfits like Exxon tried to get those laws changed, claiming the gas prices would go down if NJans had to pump their own, the citizens of the state rose up & pointed to Pennsylvania & NY, where the gas costs way way more — we are smart enough to detect liars.</p>
<p>jubilant: If I were to attend Summer@Brown, I would attend the summer before my senior year, right? Would I apply for a scholarship and on my application would I say that I plan to apply ED? I would love to go, and if I could get a scholarship, I think my parents would allow it.</p>
<p>I’ve been arguing with them a lot lately. They always say, “Just go somewhere close for the first year. You’ll get a feel for college life.” It’s not that they don’t think I can do it. They just think it’s not practical.</p>
<p>fireandrain: What if my friend doesn’t get accepted? I think to myself. “If she doesn’t get in, then I have no chance.” </p>
<p>She has done so much more than I have. She went to nationals for History Day and she got to study in Beijing for 6 weeks. She was one of 30 people from around the country who did. I can’t do any of that. I’m afraid that even if I do the best that I can, it still won’t be enough. I think that an interview might help my chances, too.</p>
<p>Be warned: if you “go somewhere close” for the first year, transfer apps may not be reviewed “needs-blind” and many schools don’t offer the same FA policies for transfers.</p>
<p>Like many kids, you’ll just need to work on the college research by yourself and present info and choices to your parents later. </p>
<p>In sales, there is the expression/concept, “getting to yes.” (Actually, a great life skill.) It starts with not arguing or hard-selling an idea. You let the other know you are accepting and processing their needs/viewpoints. Later, you let them see how your proposals can work, in accordance with those needs/viewpoints. </p>
<p>Your parents are probably as scared as the rest of us were, about how to afford your college costs over 4 years. You can let them know you understand and will certainly consider affordability as a top factor. Later (next year,) you can discuss just trying for a few more distant schools.</p>
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<p>Also, there are numerous reasons why only 10% of applicants get accepted. If your friend does not get accepted, no impact on you.</p>
<p>You can attend the summer before your junior year too, if your grades are good (though on the website it says otherwise). Try applying as early as you can because the earlier you apply, the more you’re going to get. I knew several people who attended last year who were on full scholarships. I think it’s called the Dean’s scholarship and all there is is just an extra form that would need be filled out. You don’t need to mention that you’ll be applying ED… the benefit from doing courses at Brown comes more from your experiences there than your actually attending. If you can do extremely well in your two classes and figure out what about brown makes it your number 1, the summer would have been well worth it-- just attending the program doesn’t really set you apart because for the most part, it’s not too selective.</p>
<p>You don’t want to “go somewhere close for the first year” because then you would be applying Elsewhere as a transfer student and it is harder to be accepted as a transfer than as a freshman. Fewer available spots.</p>
<p>The only way that works is if you used a place like the community college as the first year and then applied to a state Univ for the next. Schools that are very competitive in admissions are an entirely different world. </p>
<p>If your friend is not accepted at either Yale or Brown it does not mean much about you. She will be up against thousands of people who had similar qualifications. You are your own person and you have your own qualifications.</p>
<p>Brown will not hold it against you that you did not go to Beijing or other places if your family cannot afford that kind of thing. Neither will Yale. </p>
<p>Make yourself stand out in some other way that you <em>can</em> afford. And accomplish it from where you are. </p>
<p>Do some kind of volunteer thing that serves people in your area. Cook up a tutoring program for kids in the middle school, or migrant workers’ children, or whatever the needs are in your community. If you are into nature, do something that helps the state park or whatever you have near you, to acquire something they need. There is something in your town that needs doing—find it & tackle a piece of it. </p>
<p>Yes, they are looking for you to have high grades — that shows you can do the kind of work they expect in their schools—and they also are looking for you to show initiative and spunk. You don’t have to go to Beijing to do that!</p>
<p>My daughter had the same attitude you did. A good friend of hers with credentials that seemed better than hers didn’t get in the year before. Like my daughter, he was a legacy. </p>
<p>My daughter almost didn’t apply ED, she was so convinced that if her friend didn’t get in, she didn’t have a prayer. She decided at the last minute to take a risk, and applied ED. She got in. </p>
<p>JRZMom is right on target with the types of things you can do that impress admissions. Doing things that cost money (like paying to build homes in Costa Rica) often work against you. Only consider Brown summer school if you get a full scholarship. Consider this program: [Telluride</a> Association: Our Programs: For High School Students: Summer Program for Juniors (TASP): General Information](<a href=“http://www.tellurideassociation.org/programs/high_school_students/tasp/tasp_general_info.html]Telluride”>http://www.tellurideassociation.org/programs/high_school_students/tasp/tasp_general_info.html) – it is impressive if you get accepted into that.</p>
<p>And if you have to have a job during the school year, and are working 10+ hours a week, that’s just as impressive as doing an extra curricular.</p>
<p>Fire and JRZM are spot-on. Brown is very proud of the work currents students do in the community and will see your own solid community service efforts positively. Mentoring is always impressive, as is holding a job. The core goal, no matter where you apply, is to “climb out of your comfort zone.” That means, do something more than school clubs or school sponsored events. You mentioned 4H; work if for all you can. They often have leadership, service and mentoring programs. Comm service isn’t a guarantee- but it is one important way you can show any school the sort of involved person you are. Also, if you are concerned about coming from a less metropolitan area or a less rigorous high school, it’s one way you show maturity.</p>
<p>I also encouraged my dau to apply to Brown. I need to tell you she was not admitted, though I believe she would have made a fabulous contribution there. She is deliriously happy at another school. Life is funny. So, please explore your other options, as well. You will find it empowering. :)</p>