As im looking at these “chance me” threads on the site, im starting to feel really bad about myself and am wondering if i should even still be applying to the schools i like just because im nowhere near as good as these people. Are the posters on this site representative of most of the people in the applicant pool at more selective schools?? i just feel like my ECs are nowhere near the quality of most of the people on the site, and if most of the applicant pool is like them then i dont stand a chance. i get that apps are viewed hollistically, but still. Do you guys think that there are a lot of people in the country similar to the people on this site, or do these posters actually represent the usual applicants at selective schools?
I would say just ignore the people on this site. Some of them are humble-bragging and they do not represent everyone. I don’t know where you’re applying but I’m sure there are applicants just like you, some below you, and some above you. Just don’t listen to others and don’t feel down about yourself. Apply where you want and don’t let any one else’s stats affect anything.
Look at Naviance if your school has it to help gauge your chances. Be sure you have matches & safeties (especially a safety you know you will get into and can afford). Then go ahead and shoot for a few reaches, regardless of the stats of others you see out here.
Just thinking about the nature of this site, most of the kids on here are obviously pretty involved and proactive when it comes to college information searching, that being the point, I feel as if the kids on here are probably well above some school’s “average joe”. Don’t be discouraged! I felt the same way then realized that some people on here genuinely are freaks of nature (in a good sense I suppose), and it doesn’t mean that you or I aren’t qualified! It simply means that hey, some people have better looking stats and résumés!