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So you
want to get into that school real bad, huh? So
much so that you're putting too much stress on
yourelf. Some colleges want you to slow it down.
Harvard Says... Relax, Relate, Release!
Feona Sharhran
Huff
February 2001
The CollegeBound Network NewsClick --
Is this some kind of sick, twisted joke? Not at
all! Harvard, one of the hardest schools to get
into (the Ivy school admits less than 12 percent
of applicants), believes that students like you
-- those who spend every waking moment preparing
applications -- need to chill out. The school
doesn't want to be responsible for your burn-out.
In other words, Harvard does not want to get blamed
because you're up all hours of the night studying
for your SAT so that you can score a perfect 1600,
or for working your fingers to the bone rewriting
that personal statement 500 times (we counted!).
According to "Time
Out or Burn Out for The Next Generation,"
an essay found on the admissions section of
Harvard's Web site, the school is fully aware
that some of you Ivy League bounders are obviously
stressed and wind up "missing your youth
entirely" as a result of college admissions
pressure and preparation.
Other universities share
in Harvard's concern. Duke University, for example,
no longer dedicates a large amount of space for
listing extra curricular activities on its app'.
The school's reasoning seems logical enough: More
doesn't necessarily mean better.
However, if you're absolutely
set on vying for space at an Ivy League school
and won't stop until you accumulate hundreds of
impressive stats to include on your app', Harvard's
essay suggests that you take some time off between
high school graduation and college admittance.
It encourages you to make good use of your time
by traveling abroad or joining a national service
program. The essay even lists activities such
as steel drumming and mineralogical research.
What a way to take a break, huh?
What you should really
do to de-stress:
Top-ranking universities
can give you all the suggestions in the world
on ways to take it easy while going through the
college admissions process, but it's really up
to you. You're the only one who can battle
your brain-aches. Here's how:
* Understand that a college
education is what you make of it. Even
if you don't get into your first choice school,
you may find that the second school on your list
offers great opportunities -- if you're willing
to take advantage of them.
* Don't overdo it by participating
in every activity that you think will help you
to shine in the school's eyes. Dedicate your time
and leadership abilities to worthy activities.
* Do what you feel is best
for your happiness and sanity. You never want
to disrupt your life based on the belief that
this is what a school may want.
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