what's the point?

Scared4College
Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:54:22 +0000

I understand you point and unfortunately, it is a reality for many students. American colleges are just ridiculously expensive- but people flock from all over the world to attend our institutions.

I know that many of the ivies have uncovered some VERY good financial aid packages for not just poor students but virtually all students( except those who clearly don’t need it). You may want to look into that because it really is pretty great. However, like you said, it’s really difficult to get into ivies and top schools. And that’t often the most discouraging factor.

However, I know that ‘lower tier’ schools, many state schools, and schools that are relatively unknown or not popular tend to offer really great scholarships to deserving students- and you don’t necessarily have to be a really great student which is a comforting thought! A lot of these less popular colleges often give kids full rides or a very generous scholarship to goad them into attending their institution. So, I would advice you, in addition to applying to your reaches and matches and even safeties, to really look into other colleges you would not have thought about applying to and just apply. You never know what you may get out of it! And it doesn’t hurt to apply as long as it doesn’t affect the quality of your other applications.

Don’t despair. All the hype about getting into a good college really affects us all and we can’t all get into the most coveted schools. The thing is, you have done what you have done and use your application to represent yourself and let your voice come through. I just read something today by the dean of admissions at Princeton where he said he hates rifling through all these essays where students come out as saints and scholars and geniuses. So what you’re not the best student? Let colleges see your inherent uniqueness- what is special about you? What is unique?

He said one of the things he most remembers and put into the accept pile was a student who wrote, " As you will notice, my test scores are quite low. They are accurate."

Obviously, this won’t work for everyone and the reason that kid got accepted went beyond his essay and (obviously) his test scores. So, somehow, he relayed what was unique and special about him to Princeton and got accepted! Do some soul searching, read a lot- but the greatest mistake you can make is to clump yourself with all those other applicants who are like you and will try to make themselves something they aren’t from what they have. All 22,000 of those applications don’t reflect perfect people. A good amount do but an even greater amount, honestly, are normal people like you and me. The key is to not be clumped with them. And the key to that is to find your true, quirky factors- what makes you you?

Do you have a room littered with Hello Kitty paraphernalia and are absolutely infatuated with carrots?

Or have you been a Math Club member, and a soccer player who lost the big soccer match but became stronger because of it?

Which one sounds more interesting, more personal and something that a thousand kids won’t have?