<p>I think it was a big part of it though. The recs I used later were far better. Only the adcoms know for sure, but I can say that the bad rec I used definitely did not help me. I’d rather hear more about the applicant’s traits and characteristics and not just a story of how some dirty secrets were uncovered. If this event is to be mentioned, it should not be a big focus of the rec.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The point is that the dirty secrets “were” not just uncovered (sounds like virgin birth) but that the OP UNCOVERED them (active voice) and wrote them up and caused change to happen. How many teenagers can claim that? And, fwiw, this is very different order of magnitude from finding that a classmate is cheating and reporting that classmate.</p>
<p>It wasn’t just about a classmate cheating – it was a pretty significant “cheating” ring. <em>shrug</em> I guess it’s not as “huge”, but if you think this event can reveal a lot about you, go for it.</p>
<p>I think the different is reporting on your peers - which although necessary and valuable brings up that tattletale fear - and reporting on corrupt people in power. America loves a story where the young person of integrity exposes the older corrupt power structure.</p>
<p>I checked out who won some high school journalism awards and found this: </p>
<p>"L.A. Youth reporter Gohar Galyan won the 2000 Student Impact Award, 3rd place, from the National Journalism Education Association. The winning article described problems in her school and district, resulting in her being selected by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board as the only student member of the committee which created criteria for selecting the new superintendent in December 1999.</p>
<p>When I Googled Gohar Galyan, I found an article by her this year in the Stanford student newspaper, so clearly her muckraking in journalism didn’t keep her from getting into at least one top college.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.layouth.com/5_6.htm[/url]”>http://www.layouth.com/5_6.htm</a></p>
<p>Thanks to the parents, students and benjones of MIT (Drat! Now I wish I aced AP Chem!) for your kind words and advice.</p>
<p>Today my teacher let me preview her rec and it spoke to the issue far better than I could. She wrote about the event I described as well as three others (yes, I’m a muckraker). The reference focused on my professionalism and the impact the articles made. I’ve also included a blip about it in my Activity Resume. I’m relieved because I really didn’t want to write about it in an essay. I have other passions I’d rather share.</p>
<p>Thank you again to everyone for grounding me.</p>
<p>Schoolgurl,</p>
<p>I think your actions are so impressive. Wonderful news that your teacher-recommender presented this incident and others well. Sounds like you are on your way! We will be seeing you on CNN before long, I suspect!</p>
<p>Lots of good luck to you!</p>