@rasofia You are going to do so well in college! Congrats on being Valedictorian - and your classmates will be more concerned about themselves than you - it always works that way 
You will love Austin!
Give a big “hook 'em” salute at the end of your speech. The more enthusiastic you are about your school, the less people will care if you didn’t get into HYPSMs. And really, who cares what anyone else thinks, anyway? There will always be gossips; just ignore them. But they’re the minority. Most people are happy for happy people and wish them well. So - make happiness your new hat. You certainly have multiple reasons to be glad.
@vv check your messages
@watchingthemsoar That is so crazy about your son and UT because here at my high school, since the top 10% get automatic admission, most people from here end up going there (and A&M)…so people here actually think it’s “basic” to go to both of these universities. I tell people that there are others who dream of going here. So, I really do appreciate that I am able to go to UT…but it was just a bit depressing at first getting those rejection letters. I guess I wanted some kind of validation for “wasting away” these past four years. Since UT and A&M were automatic admission for all top 10%, there was none of that validation, which is why I hoped to get it from at least ONE ivy or big school…but no. But it’s totally okay…after reading all these comments, including yours, I feel SO much better. I am seeing things in a clearer perspective now since the negative feelings are dying down. I got denied from schools I wasn’t going to go to. Sure, it will be a bit embarrassing once people find out, but they’ll get over it just as I have.
Thank you for your comment and sharing that about your son. I wish him the absolute best at whichever school he decides to go to! I wish you the best as well. Thank you.
@dblazer That’s exactly what I hope for in the future: that I’ll look back and laugh at the feelings I feel now. I know it’s ridiculous that I’m weeping over rejection letters from schools I’m not even going to, but those were just my feelings, as I said above, because I felt I received ‘no validation.’ But I’m pretty much getting over it already with the help of all these wonderful people on CC.
Crazy how many generous people there are, willing to take time out of their day to respond to this thread.
Again, thanks to all of you above!! I really, really appreciate it.
@rasofia Congrats on being valedictorian. When you are up there giving that awesome speech, keep in mind that 90% of the kids in your audience would have loved to go to UT but didn’t get in:).
You are going to do great things there. The kids who succeed at top notch engineering programs are the kids like you who know how to work and want to learn.
You’ll always be the valedictorian and that will be with you for the rest of your life. It will be something your kids will tell their kids about someday. Did you know grandma was number one in her whole high school class? No one is going to say yeah but she didn’t get accepted to any Ivy League schools…
@notveryzen Thank you so much. Also, I had never thought of it that way (the 90%)…don’t know why. Thank you again, and I hope that’s what my kids will say one day lol.
Hopefully I do come up with an awesome speech soon.
*will
I think it is 92% this year, right? Just in case it makes you feel any better.
You will have an amazing speech. It shouldn’t be about where everyone is going or not going to college anyway. It is a chance to celebrate the end of high school and create excitement for what is ahead for you and your classmates whether that is to be a college student, a newlywed, a soldier, or any of the other things that go into starting an adult life. The creative possibilities for a great speech are endless. And now you can think about it without worrying about admissions decisions any longer.
@NorthernMom61 Yes, hopefully I will! And that’s so true…admissions decisions are over…that’s it. No more worries or dreading.
Thank you again, I really appreciate your time and advice.
rasofia, two things:
1)Since when is it embarrassing to have only gotten into Rice, of the elite schools? Val or not, that’s an amazing admit - most kids in this country would kill to attend Rice. I only know it on paper, but to me it sounds much better than almost all of the other super selective schools.
2)You shouldn’t feel embarrassed about not finding your passions at the age of 17. I’m sure most of the parents on here would tell you that they didn’t find theirs until much later in life. When most of the parents on here applied to college, extracurriculars were not nearly as important as they are today. Today’s admissions process is pure insanity, if you ask me. If you haven’t seen the recent article about how schools are trying to dial it back, here it is:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/opinion/rethinking-college-admissions.html?_r=0
I was serious about school, but I had no passions outside of school and hanging out with my friends when I was your age. Or at least none that would count as extracurriculars. And I don’t regret that at all. I was a normal 17 year old. And today, I feel like I’m more passionate about things that really matter than many of my friends who attended more elite schools than I did. People all mature and change at different rates.
When I look at some of the accomplishments of the kids on this site, it actually makes me a little sad. High School kids don’t get to be High School kids anymore. They’re expected to have the accomplishments of a 50 year old; more than most 50 year olds, actually.
Just had an idea. I think the 50 and 60 year olds here should list their EC’s. I bet they’re not too impressive. Even if they are extensive, I bet the other adults here won’t be overly impressed, the way admissions officers are when 17 year olds present the same list.
I have a job that I love, and I work for a manager who I totally respect and love working for. I have an amazing wife and four great kids. Here are my EC’s:
-taking out the garbage
-doing the bills
-coaching Little League baseball
-listening to audio books on my way to work
-listening to public radio
-watching movies
-enjoying down time, which involves no mental activity whatsoever. I can’t really call it meditating, but it’s close.
My wife doesn’t understand the concept of downtime, but I can’t function if I don’t make time for it.
Not too impressive, but for me it’s a pretty sweet life. I’m a graduate of a solid, but not elite, public university.
Don’t get so caught up in where you go to school. You’re a very smart girl. Stop worrying about impressing other people, and start thinking about how to make a happy life for yourself. Good luck.
Maybe on reflection you would have spent those four years differently, but you didn’t WASTE them. You worked hard, you learned a lot, and now you’ve learned a REALLY powerful lesson that will inform your college experience for the better. Allow yourself some wallowing, but then Onward! You have great possibilities ahead of you, and so do your peers.
I haven’t read the entire thread but a couple of things. First congratulations for bring Valedictorian. second, 11AP exams?! Wow, when you go for something, you really go for it.
Last, your first post combined with some subsequent ones would make a great speech. It may start as a slight downer but you have a great story to tell and it’s worth talking about expectations and reality, and finally embracing your next adventure.
Good luck next fall!
Own this. Go to school with your head held high. You are off to UT in the fall. You are likely one of the best prepared among your classmates. You know how to study and how to organize your time. You have experienced the success that comes from that kind of hard work. You may well be a “star” at UT. And, who knows where you’ll go for grad school or beyond? The sky is still the limit. Your journey begins anew and you will rock it. You will continue to achieve. Own it.
@rasophia, Congrats on your acceptances to the schools you actually want to attend. Kids are different. Some want to go to college far from home; others want to stay in the area where they grew up. It’s good that you know which camp you fall in.
You have a chance today to make a difference – to model how to accept college decisions and show your classmates and underclassmen that it’s not the end of the world if they’re not accepted everywhere – and I’d own it. Start by telling your friends you got acceptances to Rice and UT, and right now you’re leaning toward UT.
Congratulate everyone else on their acceptances (including the kids who will be commuting to the local cc) and tell anyone who asks that you were accepted to Rice and UT but rejected at a couple of Ivies. (Most people probably won’t remember how many schools you applied to or exactly which ones they were). Then ask how their plans are coming (what are they planning to do after they graduate {not everyone can afford colege}, ask the ones who applied to college if they received all their decisions yet, which college is their current favorite, etc.). Be matter of fact about your decisions and express interest in your classmates’ plans. Come back here if you need someone to talk to today.
Good luck at whichever college you choose. I’m sure you’ll do very well.
Why not Rice?
It might be a good idea to visit both schools again before you make your final decision. It is possible to get “lost” in a large school, whereas the nurturing, family environment of the residential college system and the house parents at Rice can be a great support system. And Rice is a great place for bright , motivated, self driven self described (as you have) “nerds”. Arrange an overnight if you can. It’s a fabulous school!
Revisit both schools, go with your gut feeling. You may get more empathy from your schoolmates than you think, especially if you’ve always been cordial and respectful towards them.
@rasofia - just wanted to remind you that being Val (Highest Ranking Graduate) in your class has already paid off with the Texas tuition waiver if you do choose UT. That is about a $10k pay off! Congrats & good luck!