<p>Kathy, I do sympathize with your feelings, and I think your distaste for the system is valid. We are creating a generation of kids who think they have to fit a certain mold to be acceptable and accepted by what popular opinion considers the best educational institutions. The institutions themselves seem to be looking for similar applicants - you can listen to college admissions presentations around the country and hear them all say how they’re looking for passion, leadership, students taking the most challenging courses available, intellectual curiosity - they all seem to want the same person.
They talk about wanting diversity-but only if these diverse students fit into a particular type…the super-student. It must be very disheartening to have worked so hard to fit this picture of a perfect person and realize that you are going to have a difficult time distinguishing yourself from thousands of other kids who have worked as hard to present the same profile. I see it at my son’s high school every year, and each year the resumes of the kids get longer and more similar. All APs, 700+ scores across the board, national merit commended, (at the very least), one and often two or three, sports, a laundry list of community service activities, one or two leadership roles, and the expectation of glowing recs and polished essays. Sometimes the only thing setting them apart is their sex and ethnic background.
My answer to this phenomenon, to those without the stomache for it, is to look for schools that are less “esteemed” by Joe Public, but are still excellent (and sometimes better) colleges. We are fortunate that our country has many such schools. Kids that insist on applying only to Ivy League schools or the equivalent are putting themselves in a box they don’t have to be in. Have you considered looking seriously, as a first choice, not a safely, at places like Grinnell, Haverford, Carleton, Scripps, or WashU?
What about UVA, USC or one of the UCs? You don’t have to buy into the system. You don’t have to play the game at all- if you’ve the qualifications I think you have, many excellent schools would be thrilled to have you. But are you willing to recognize their value, or the value of the education beyond the name recognition?
This is a very stressful time for a lot of talented, deserving kids like yourself. It is a rather brutal game, but it doesn’t have to be if you broaden your own view and look beyone the obvious and find a hidden gem that might be an even better fit for you. Good luck – it will be over soon!</p>