Amazing story : Korean Student Gets Chance to Attend Both Harvard and Stanford

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please keep Pooja out of the discussion. I admire what she has achieved, but her action of applying to so many universities is not ethical because it was not necessary and took spots away from other qualified applicants. Very selfish act!!!

You're dumb as a pile of doorknobs. She will only accept one offer of admission. All other schools will get to use their spots by offering it to other waitlisted applicants.

[Anonymous]

I am wondering if this is a case of Sara fooling her parents as well as everyone else. Looks like there is evidence that could go either way.

[Anonymous]

I am very dismayed that many of our opinions on these matters are so sharply divided along ethnic or racial affiliations. People of Indian descent appear to be using these discussions to highlight Pooja's achievements. Koreans, I'm told, are embarrassed by this young lady's actions. There appears to be judgement being cast by Non-Asians on the culture of Asians who, right or wrong, place high value on achieving academic success. I understand everyone's desire to belong to a group they can be proud of... but the group here should not be so narrowly defined. She is a member of the TJ community. She is a young lady. She is someone's daughter, someone's friend.

All the while, there is a high school girl who is most likely going to face - if she hasn't already - a whole lot of trouble in the coming days, weeks and months. We are all human and should all care for her as a member of our race and desire her to get whatever help she needs to get her life back in order.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering if this is a case of Sara fooling her parents as well as everyone else. Looks like there is evidence that could go either way.

It seems that her mother at least knew about it . Some Korean TJ parents claimed to receive an email consisting of the forged acceptance letter from Harvard from Sara's mother.

Sara's father is working in Korea - Sara and Sara's mom is in the States - and judging by his reaction after the most recent coverage by Korean media, he didn't quite know what was going on and was on his way to the airport to visit Sara and check the story out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please keep Pooja out of the discussion. I admire what she has achieved, but her action of applying to so many universities is not ethical because it was not necessary and took spots away from other qualified applicants. Very selfish act!!!

You're dumb as a pile of doorknobs. She will only accept one offer of admission. All other schools will get to use their spots by offering it to other waitlisted applicants.

I'm a new poster (really). Don't you think that's a misuse of resources? I really don't get these kids who apply to schools that are so different from each other with the only thing in common being their Ivy League status. And while it may be true that those schools will fill that spot (or not -- they don't all go to their waitlist) her application to a school she may not truly be interested in does take away from the school's college advisor's ability to advocate for another student at that high school and no college will take an unlimited number of kids.

It's obviously a free country and kids can apply wherever they want but, to me at least, it does smack of scalp hunting. JMO, of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear Sara and family,

As you can see, your story is being followed with great interest.

If all your claims are true, it would be wise to present the evidence to quiet all the naysayers. Your SAT scores from College Board, your acceptance letters from Harvard and Stanford, etc., would be a great start.

However, if this current situation is a result of lies and mistruths, I implore you to confess. This story has gotten out of control and I see no other way for you to save face. I believe that you will be forgiven so please do not continue on with this charade.

Sincerely,
A concerned parent

Given the recent developments, I would also like to urge Sara to come clean. She must be in a terrible place right now with all this negative publicity but I want to remind her that the public is usually very forgiving and understanding when a person is contrite. We will never understand the circumstances under which she felt the need to spread such deception, but hopefully she can get some help and learn from this very public experience.

I wish you well Sara.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering if this is a case of Sara fooling her parents as well as everyone else. Looks like there is evidence that could go either way.

It seems that her mother at least knew about it . Some Korean TJ parents claimed to receive an email consisting of the forged acceptance letter from Harvard from Sara's mother.

Sara's father is working in Korea - Sara and Sara's mom is in the States - and judging by his reaction after the most recent coverage by Korean media, he didn't quite know what was going on and was on his way to the airport to visit Sara and check the story out.

Although it's only rational for the father to react (act) that way.
There's no way at this point the kid can get out of this. If the they admit the father was also involved, the whole family will be in shambles. It's rational for them to try to save him from the mess at least by claiming that he has no part in this - whether anyone believes him or not.
So just disclaim himself of any responsibility - it was just my foolish daughter that fooled even her own father. I had no idea but I apologize for raising her like this - and there's a chance that even though this is the end of the academic and professional career for the girl, the father might not lose EVERYTHING. Only rational.

[Anonymous]

She went to both school's admitted Weekend and I don't think that can be forged.

[Anonymous]

When see stories like this i always think first that the pressure to succeed and live up to expectations is at least a part of the reason. At a school like TJ where every child is used to being the best, I can only imagine the competitiveness of the students. Nothing wrong with competition, but it sometimes makes good people do things they would not normally do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She went to both school's admitted Weekend and I don't think that can be forged.

I think the newspapers in Korea already verified that she was not accepted.

[Anonymous]

I think the newspapers in Korea already verified that she was not accepted.

The same korean newspapers that confirmed that she got into both places in the first place? Im not sure how reliable these sources are

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She went to both school's admitted Weekend and I don't think that can be forged.

I'm not sure how Harvard's and Stanford's admitted weekends work (maybe those with personal knowledge can chime in), but the ones that I have been to are rather informal. You can just show up and no one really verifies whether you belong there or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She went to both school's admitted Weekend and I don't think that can be forged.

I think the newspapers in Korea already verified that she was not accepted.

Then how can school let her attend the adMitted weekend which I know only For accepted students?

[Anonymous]

Back to the Pooja thing, I am shocked to see such rude language. I will forgive you if you are related to Pooja.

There are a lot of TJ students and some teachers disliking what she did. Yes, her spot may go to someone on the waiting list, but it is unlikely someone at TJ. Also, her action will upset some colleges because it lowers their yield. This could impact future classes, including 2016. Imagine if TJ is a private school, the school would not allow such things happen because it would damage the relationship between the colleges and the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I think the newspapers in Korea already verified that she was not accepted.

The same korean newspapers that confirmed that she got into both places in the first place? Im not sure how reliable these sources are

You have a good point, but I'm seeing on the social sites in Korea that the news agencies such YTN, Chosun, joon ang, are all involved and trying to retract. Reliability should have been a focus in the first place, so good point.