Anonymous wrote:I went to MIT in the last 5 years.

Unless you win an Intel contest (and even some of those people don't get in) then with below a 3.8 and no special status (ie not white male or Asian) you won't get in.

I was a science major. You do realize that once you get past the memorization that science is ALL writing (grants, papers, etc.). To succeed you must be able to communicate your thoughts clearly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are they relegated to so called 2nd tier schools? Are there high-end colleges that truly see the potential with very strong math/science skills rather than being denied admission because a B means you can't write?

Yes, I know I'm being a bit dramatic but if perfect grades and scores are no guarantee for admissions, what chance do I have for a Cal Tech or MIT?

When I posted my comment, I should have been more specific by saying schools that have good science/math programs LIKE Cal Tech or MIT. Many schools have great programs and not all are the Harvard, MIT, or Yale.

Before I posted, I looked at several schools on CC and their admissions rates. The one thing that stands out is not everyone who has perfect grades gets into top schools and some not so top schools. I will keep working hard and dust off negative comments. Discouragement from others and its acceptance is the absolute worst thing any young person should have in their mind. Being realistic is good and like CC people say, you don't know until you apply.

Parent is wondering where their laptop is. Gotta go. Thanks to those with positive remarks!

Anonymous wrote:The truth is that he can get into many good schools with an academic record like that. Not Caltech and MIT, but plenty of programs with high quality math and engineering programs. I have friends in his position who went places like Rose Hullman, University of Illinois, and University of Texas. So I wouldn't freak out; just set your sights a little lower.

I work in a STEM field (chemist) and the issue I do see is that even mathematicians, engineers, and scientists need to know how to write clearly and succinctly and it IS a problem if he is unable to write well. In graduate school that was something some of my peers really struggled with, and in the workforce everyone needs to write. You might get a bit of latitude if you are a non-native English speaker, but as a domestic student, the writing expectations are higher. Take your English classes more seriously. Even if you go to a tech school, you'll have a humanities requirement as long as you are attending college in the US (my friend who studied math and computer science at MIT had a humanities course every semester she was there).

Anonymous wrote:
Actually, you incorrectly attributed that response to me. Looks like your crystal ball is cracked and so is some of your advice. Chill out.

Anonymous wrote:

Oh, god forbid you feel apprehensive about your achievements which are, basically, nill.

Oh, dear, PP. When trying to insult someone else's intelligence, it's usually preferable not to misspell words. That rather dilutes the effect. It's "nil," not "nill." Guess you were an English/History B student, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While your information may have some validity, the approach stinks. Realistic encouragement is expected but to consistently downplay this child is aggregious. This child does not appear unintelligent and does NOT deserve the mental beat down he is getting.

Approach is everything. OP ignores your advice at his own peril. OP says and thinks English is bullshit. OP wastes his time on DCUM and CC. OP does not appear to be as conscientious as posters kids who got into top schools but we don't want to be accused of bragging by mentioning it.

If I were OP, I would stay as far from DCUM as possible and go directly to college admissions offices and college counselors for advice. S[he] deserves more support and unbiased advice than found here.

OP, you are not in peril nor will you be relegated to a matchbook college. There is some positive advice here but use it discriminately. The smart kid reaches out (like you did) for information. You WILL be successful and you WILL find your niche wherever you accepted. Please DO NOT let people discourage you from applying where you want. Do your best to make your dreams come true.

Hi, I came back after watching this debate from afar and need to step in. I appreciate your support as I was feeling a bit apprehensive about myself and achievements after reading some of these comments. Thank you for not assuming I was dumb and unmotivated. My parent has always encouraged me to work harder on the B+. By the way, even though we don't have a great deal of money, my mom does not curse at me. I think all of my courses are important, not just the ones I like. You folks need to know that at least.

I know how hard it is to get into top schools and what it takes. I thank the folks who are so supportive. Again, I was feeling dejected regardless of my awards and accomplishments. I am good in math and science and no one can say anything to lessen that. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for the support. You don't know how much this means to me. Although I might not be the most prolific writer. I think I have made my point. DCUM is not for me.

Oh, god forbid you feel apprehensive about your achievements which are, basically, nill.

yeah and you should feel proud of your most recent achievement - being a class A bitch to a 17 yo on an anonymous forum

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While your information may have some validity, the approach stinks. Realistic encouragement is expected but to consistently downplay this child is aggregious. This child does not appear unintelligent and does NOT deserve the mental beat down he is getting.

Approach is everything. OP ignores your advice at his own peril. OP says and thinks English is bullshit. OP wastes his time on DCUM and CC. OP does not appear to be as conscientious as posters kids who got into top schools but we don't want to be accused of bragging by mentioning it.

If I were OP, I would stay as far from DCUM as possible and go directly to college admissions offices and college counselors for advice. S[he] deserves more support and unbiased advice than found here.

OP, you are not in peril nor will you be relegated to a matchbook college. There is some positive advice here but use it discriminately. The smart kid reaches out (like you did) for information. You WILL be successful and you WILL find your niche wherever you accepted. Please DO NOT let people discourage you from applying where you want. Do your best to make your dreams come true.

Hi, I came back after watching this debate from afar and need to step in. I appreciate your support as I was feeling a bit apprehensive about myself and achievements after reading some of these comments. Thank you for not assuming I was dumb and unmotivated. My parent has always encouraged me to work harder on the B+. By the way, even though we don't have a great deal of money, my mom does not curse at me. I think all of my courses are important, not just the ones I like. You folks need to know that at least.

I know how hard it is to get into top schools and what it takes. I thank the folks who are so supportive. Again, I was feeling dejected regardless of my awards and accomplishments. I am good in math and science and no one can say anything to lessen that. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for the support. You don't know how much this means to me. Although I might not be the most prolific writer. I think I have made my point. DCUM is not for me.

Oh, god forbid you feel apprehensive about your achievements which are, basically, nill.

yeah and you should feel proud of your most recent achievement - being a class A bitch to a 17 yo on an anonymous forum

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While your information may have some validity, the approach stinks. Realistic encouragement is expected but to consistently downplay this child is aggregious. This child does not appear unintelligent and does NOT deserve the mental beat down he is getting.

Approach is everything. OP ignores your advice at his own peril. OP says and thinks English is bullshit. OP wastes his time on DCUM and CC. OP does not appear to be as conscientious as posters kids who got into top schools but we don't want to be accused of bragging by mentioning it.

If I were OP, I would stay as far from DCUM as possible and go directly to college admissions offices and college counselors for advice. S[he] deserves more support and unbiased advice than found here.

OP, you are not in peril nor will you be relegated to a matchbook college. There is some positive advice here but use it discriminately. The smart kid reaches out (like you did) for information. You WILL be successful and you WILL find your niche wherever you accepted. Please DO NOT let people discourage you from applying where you want. Do your best to make your dreams come true.

Hi, I came back after watching this debate from afar and need to step in. I appreciate your support as I was feeling a bit apprehensive about myself and achievements after reading some of these comments. Thank you for not assuming I was dumb and unmotivated. My parent has always encouraged me to work harder on the B+. By the way, even though we don't have a great deal of money, my mom does not curse at me. I think all of my courses are important, not just the ones I like. You folks need to know that at least.

I know how hard it is to get into top schools and what it takes. I thank the folks who are so supportive. Again, I was feeling dejected regardless of my awards and accomplishments. I am good in math and science and no one can say anything to lessen that. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for the support. You don't know how much this means to me. Although I might not be the most prolific writer. I think I have made my point. DCUM is not for me.

Oh, god forbid you feel apprehensive about your achievements which are, basically, nill.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While your information may have some validity, the approach stinks. Realistic encouragement is expected but to consistently downplay this child is aggregious. This child does not appear unintelligent and does NOT deserve the mental beat down he is getting.

Approach is everything. OP ignores your advice at his own peril. OP says and thinks English is bullshit. OP wastes his time on DCUM and CC. OP does not appear to be as conscientious as posters kids who got into top schools but we don't want to be accused of bragging by mentioning it.

If I were OP, I would stay as far from DCUM as possible and go directly to college admissions offices and college counselors for advice. S[he] deserves more support and unbiased advice than found here.

OP, you are not in peril nor will you be relegated to a matchbook college. There is some positive advice here but use it discriminately. The smart kid reaches out (like you did) for information. You WILL be successful and you WILL find your niche wherever you accepted. Please DO NOT let people discourage you from applying where you want. Do your best to make your dreams come true.

Hi, I came back after watching this debate from afar and need to step in. I appreciate your support as I was feeling a bit apprehensive about myself and achievements after reading some of these comments. Thank you for not assuming I was dumb and unmotivated. My parent has always encouraged me to work harder on the B+. By the way, even though we don't have a great deal of money, my mom does not curse at me. I think all of my courses are important, not just the ones I like. You folks need to know that at least.

I know how hard it is to get into top schools and what it takes. I thank the folks who are so supportive. Again, I was feeling dejected regardless of my awards and accomplishments. I am good in math and science and no one can say anything to lessen that. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for the support. You don't know how much this means to me. Although I might not be the most prolific writer. I think I have made my point. DCUM is not for me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While your information may have some validity, the approach stinks. Realistic encouragement is expected but to consistently downplay this child is aggregious. This child does not appear unintelligent and does NOT deserve the mental beat down he is getting.

Approach is everything. OP ignores your advice at his own peril. OP says and thinks English is bullshit. OP wastes his time on DCUM and CC. OP does not appear to be as conscientious as posters kids who got into top schools but we don't want to be accused of bragging by mentioning it.

If I were OP, I would stay as far from DCUM as possible and go directly to college admissions offices and college counselors for advice. S[he] deserves more support and unbiased advice than found here.

OP, you are not in peril nor will you be relegated to a matchbook college. There is some positive advice here but use it discriminately. The smart kid reaches out (like you did) for information. You WILL be successful and you WILL find your niche wherever you accepted. Please DO NOT let people discourage you from applying where you want. Do your best to make your dreams come true.

Hi, I came back after watching this debate from afar and need to step in. I appreciate your support as I was feeling a bit apprehensive about myself and achievements after reading some of these comments. Thank you for not assuming I was dumb and unmotivated. My parent has always encouraged me to work harder on the B+. By the way, even though we don't have a great deal of money, my mom does not curse at me. I think all of my courses are important, not just the ones I like. You folks need to know that at least.

I know how hard it is to get into top schools and what it takes. I thank the folks who are so supportive. Again, I was feeling dejected regardless of my awards and accomplishments. I am good in math and science and no one can say anything to lessen that. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for the support. You don't know how much this means to me. Although I might not be the most prolific writer. I think I have made my point. DCUM is not for me.

I wish you all the best! Your mom should be proud of you. And you express yourself poignantly!! Good luck!

+1. Hopefully, he won't be back. I would hate to see how he will be vilified for his heartfelt response.

Oh please, stop it. Personally, I'd hate for him to take your advice to apply to HYP without any encouragement to work on his english and history grades.