I'm a former admissions officer who has gone through the college application process with my 2 oldest kids. ITA with the PP who said it's all voodoo. For that reason I thought the WSJ piece was just meh . . . right up until the last line, which was kick-ass funny. You go, Suzy Lee Weiss! I fully expect to see you writing for SNL in the very near future.

Someone should give her a weekly column/blog. I'd read the hell out of it.

20:39 here - and yes, I suspect that that chip on her shoulder served her well. I know I would have mentioned it to the admissions office.

I thought she was a whiny entitled little shit. Being yourself isn't any good if 'yourself' is a spoiled brat.

Someone needs to bitch slap that ungrateful, entitled sub- par asshole.

I thought it was hilarious.

The letter was as much about her parents as it was the process. So many overachievers are big bores, achieving for the sake of achieving and not doing any greater good, not thinking beyond their little "good school" universe.

Well, she's young and doesn't get it. In the current numbers game, colleges are rejecting tons of lovely people who would do great at the school. I interview for an ivy, and none of mine got in this year. The acceptance rate was extremely low. It kills me, because all of the ones I interviewed would have been fine additions to the school. But the assumption that the accepted ones had a gazillion extracurriculars and found a cure for cancer is also not true. In the last couple of years, the ones that did get in weren't always the ones with the most impressive resume. One had what I considered almost neglectful parents. There is a voodoo that happens at the admissions office, and there is no set formula.

It's a numbers game. I tried to tell my interviewees this year - "I know it's hard to do, but should you not get in, don't take it personally. I know you would do well here. They are going to reject many wonderful candidates. But 96 percent of you won't get in. This is more about the university than it will ever be about you."

Loved it. I thought she did an awesome job. Sure she is bitter but she acknowledges it. And her assessment is spot on.

It's VERY well written. I like that kid.

nice

Great it's my high school! Sniveling little brat.
We also cheated on our SATs once upon a time.
Anyways Go Dice!

Welcome to the real world. You are not a special snowflake and everyone is not equal.

It would be better if it were less bitter.

Have you read this letter? It's gotten a lot of attention. In a way, it's well written in a humorous way but it does strike on some truths and certainly bitterness.
FYI
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324000704578390340064578654.html?mod=WSJ_article_comments#articleTabs%3Darticle