<p>Object all you want to. The reality is there were 5 (or 15) other kids who didn’t get it , with stats objectively as good. Maybe you’d prefer Fortunate Frank to Lucky Lou the Lotto Boy? Remember my Kid is Lucky Louise and I’m not slamming her, am I? </p>
<p>Look, I was NOT denigrating your effort, but right place at the right time is part of the process. Did you apply to other schools where you didn’t get the top award? were those kids better qualified? I doubt it. </p>
<p>Think of it this way, “luck favors the prepared mind” (applicant in this case). You were prepared to act on your good fortune by your hard work. Does that sound better?</p>
<p>And congrats. That is outstanding work. Just outstanding. A good friend of my D was waitlisted and he had a 1570/2370 and big research and got into Princeton (our sal). He is one smart cookie doing big dog physics research and he couldn’t even get in the door while they fluffed your bed and left you a cookie on the pillow. ;)</p>