College Sucks

[Darby]

I will state the circumstances, and then go on to my point.

Today many college applications are due, and I live on the West Coast, so rather than being due at 11:59pm, they are due at 8:59pm(or something like that).

I am officially late for almost half, or will be if I bother to try an fill them out now.

But the thing I wanted to bring up, because I feel it is important to me is:

Is it alright to bullshit your applications?

After talking to friends about how stupid the whole thing was, and getting crap from my mom about how I knew it was coming, I'm finding out that about 90% of my friends completely made shit up on their application. I have a huge problem with this, because the idea is that you are honestly better than someone, and although I didn't do it in a timely manner, the ones I did complete I feel cheated out of, because now I know everyone makes them up. What has this world come to? I feel like crying:/

 

[Chronomar]

I sympathize absolutely.

It is true, you probably should have managed time better...keep that in mind as you go through college: always be vigilant about time management.

I also thought about making stuff up on my applications, but I didn't, and I got in to a variety of colleges, even two I sent in late (although they were small). Also, go check about colleges which have moved their deadlines back. Quite a few do that, even though they act like they aren't going to.

Just remember, it will all be over, soon you'll be on a college campus and enrolling in new, interesting courses, nearly no matter what college you end up at. Prestige does matter some, but in terms of a real education, not that much at all.

 

[Darby]

it appears I will either get into University Of Portland in a timely manner, or Reed, Whitman, or Oberlin will accept it late(because of the time zone thing), otherwise it's community college for me

I go to a college prep school which just makes me feel worse, because all they tell us is that we're going to fail at life if we don't get into MIT or Harvard or some shit(which is why i made the comment about having to go to community college, it feels like a mortal sin). Sometimes I have to wonder, whats the point? Even if I learn a lot, I'm going to die a small ball of dust anyways

EDIT: I can feel the sense of uselessness coming on, stand back, I see more complaining in my future.

 

[sagewolf]

I can sympathise: I spent yesterday fudging my way through the fafsa, rejoicing when I actually found my W9 forms, relieved that I wasn't going to accidentally falsify a federal financial aid form. I agree, when you don't keep a handle on time management, it bites you in the butt...

I also have to send my old school a friendly reminder that yes, I know Irish schools don't generally prepare transcripts, but I really really need it so please get it in. And even if I get in I don't know if I can afford the school. *sigh*

Screw time. I need luck. Lots and lots of luck.

 

[Kuu]

This is sadly true. If there is one thing in particular that I've learned in college is that most people bullshit their way through life, and succeed, while a lot of the honest, hard working people get trampled and left behind just because they are trying to do things the right way.

It would have been useful to realize this just as I was beginning, instead of past half-way. It would have spared me so much mental pain and physical effort. Heh, to think that back then I thought I couldn't become /more/ jaded.

Having integrity sucks.

 

[Darby]

Having integrity sucks.

this actually makes me feel much better, lol, thanks

 

[Hawkeye]

In this society, it's not what you know; It's who you know.

I've just applied to university again myself. Like last time I've been honest in what I have achieved and what I want to achieve. I've achieved nothing spectacular in my life (Well what other people would find spectacular anyway...) and I was invited for an interview. I got in with ease

Granted I hated every moment I was there after the first year to the point where it killed the passion of the subject I originally had.

I might not even go back. I'm considering becoming a music teacher and I believe there are various ways to get where I want to get.

 

[Trebuchet]

Well, Darby, that sounds like a wretched evening. I remember hating every minute of the college application process, so I am experiencing a nostalgic nausea on your behalf. Life gets better, though.

To answer your question, no it is not all right to bullshit your application. Not everyone lies on their college admissions, resumes, or interviews. Some do. Some of them get ahead because of it. But some of us don't lie. I don't believe you should ever sell your integrity for anything less than survival.

It is not weakness to be honest, or naivete to have integrity. The college I attended has an honor code. I was proud to attend such a school, where we could be trusted to take final exams out by the pool, stuff left in dorms didn't get stolen, and, no, people didn't bullshit their way through. For those who fake their way through life, they get to spend their lives never knowing whether they could do anything on their own merits, because they never tried.

As for community college, that isn't the worst thing that can happen to someone. Not only is there a lot of competition to get into schools, colleges are super-expensive. Many people spend a year at community college and transfer. Frankly, employers don't care where you go freshman year, only where you graduated. I think I'd have done better to do that myself. Wherever you end up going, you will have time to correct mistakes later, so don't panic.

 

[Maiken]

This sounds really depressing Where I live education is free and you get in if you're grades are good enough. You even get money to live for when you're studying.

 

[warryer]

I go to a college prep school which just makes me feel worse, because all they tell us is that we're going to fail at life if we don't get into MIT or Harvard or some shit(which is why i made the comment about having to go to community college, it feels like a mortal sin).

I HATE this line of thinking. Elitist bullshit is what that is. It's just a name. That's all. Shit like this makes me lose faith in society.

What is the purpose of going to college? It's so you can acquire knowledge to perform a specific skill. It's not like the knowledge from MIT or Harvard is made of pure gold while the very same knowledge from a community college on the same subject is made of lead.

Once you get out in the working world. When you have several years of experience, where you went to school won't matter too much.

As far as lying on applications? I wouldn't do it. Trebuchet has it perfectly. If you are honest with yourself you have the ability to admit your faults. Not only that but you can improve yourself! This will cause you to be "better" than your lying competition. The people who matter will see it and thats all thats important.

Some people just aren't willing to put forth the effort.

 

[Darby]

I would like to thank all of you for supporting my views, and I would like to say that I wasn't contemplating lying as much as I was trying to figure out how other people think it's OK.

 

[Trebuchet]

I would like to thank all of you for supporting my views, and I would like to say that I wasn't contemplating lying as much as I was trying to figure out how other people think it's OK.

Actually, it never occurred to me that you were contemplating lying. Your original post made it clear that you were disliked the very idea, and were frustrated by the many people considered it the normal, correct way to do things.

 

[LAM]

This sounds really depressing Where I live education is free and you get in if you're grades are good enough. You even get money to live for when you're studying.

where the hell do you live!

 

[LAM]

Well, Darby, that sounds like a wretched evening. I remember hating every minute of the college application process, so I am experiencing a nostalgic nausea on your behalf. Life gets better, though.

To answer your question, no it is not all right to bullshit your application. Not everyone lies on their college admissions, resumes, or interviews. Some do. Some of them get ahead because of it. But some of us don't lie. I don't believe you should ever sell your integrity for anything less than survival.

It is not weakness to be honest, or naivete to have integrity. The college I attended has an honor code. I was proud to attend such a school, where we could be trusted to take final exams out by the pool, stuff left in dorms didn't get stolen, and, no, people didn't bullshit their way through. For those who fake their way through life, they get to spend their lives never knowing whether they could do anything on their own merits, because they never tried.

As for community college, that isn't the worst thing that can happen to someone. Not only is there a lot of competition to get into schools, colleges are super-expensive. Many people spend a year at community college and transfer. Frankly, employers don't care where you go freshman year, only where you graduated. I think I'd have done better to do that myself. Wherever you end up going, you will have time to correct mistakes later, so don't panic.

What was the college?

 

[Trebuchet]

I'll PM you, LAM.

 

[Maiken]

where the hell do you live!

Denmark

 

[Kuu]

this actually makes me feel much better, lol, thanks

/me tips hat

This sounds really depressing Where I live education is free and you get in if you're grades are good enough. You even get money to live for when you're studying.

What say you if we switch? You come here to this backwards, ignorant, corrupt third world country and I'll go to Denmark and get paid while getting free quality education.

It's a good deal, what do you have to lose?

 

[Maiken]

What say you if we switch? You come here to this backwards, ignorant, corrupt third world country and I'll go to Denmark and get paid while getting free quality education.

It's a good deal, what do you have to lose?

OMG! Sounds like a great deal

You should think that with the great opportunities I have living in Denmark, and being 21, I was actually getting an education right now... ...but I'm not.

Hopefully I'll make up my mind and start this year, ells I'll just be that girl who everybody thought was destined for something big but who ended up a bum... That could be fun actually

 

[Da Blob]

Alas, I think it does speak to the general corruption of the American educational system that liars and cheaters are able to easily "beat the system". I have always been concerned that so many schools do not place much emphasis on standardized test scores, the one 'credential' that is difficult to cheat on. However, college in America has become a waste of time due to the 'dumbing down of the curriculum' for political reasons. I live in a state that anyone with a "C" average in high school is entitled to a college education, so that now the curriculum addresses the needs of those of average intelligence instead of above average intelligence.

The problem is of course, if everyone has a college education, the value of that degree is deflated in the job market. So now one has to get a Master's degree to stand out from the 'herd'. So I would not fret too much about college, I understand that Reed has an excellent reputation - just go there and have as much fun being young as possible while maintaining decent grades and getting involved in lots of extracurricular organizations and activities.

It matters little from where one gets a BA or BS degree, it is where one gets a graduate degree that seems to be the one educational factor that employers pay attention to.

 

[Decaf]

I would like to thank all of you for supporting my views, and I would like to say that I wasn't contemplating lying as much as I was trying to figure out how other people think it's OK.

One thing you have to remember... how many applications do you think the people who process them get every year? If they're any good at their job don't you think they've developed some ability to detect bullshittery? I should hope so.

Honesty is a valuable trait, and not an unrewarded one. Some people get ahead by lying, but only sometimes. Other times they handicap themselves by coming across as untrustworthy. Its easy to believe that people who do the wrong thing are aren't apparently punished are getting a leg up on you, but it isn't true. I've seen plenty of people trick their way into a job, only to be fired 2 weeks in for not being what they claimed to be. Don't let anyone trick you into believing you're not taking the better path (and not just better in a moral sense).

 

[Cavallier]

How do I miss these threads anyway?????

I call community college the Kitchen Door strategy. I graduated out of the shittiest high school you can imagine and I knew that no good colleges would accept me. So I went to community college for a year and transferred to a state university. Honestly, most state universities will take you if you are transferring as long as you show up with enough money.

I can sympathise: I spent yesterday fudging my way through the fafsa, rejoicing when I actually found my W9 forms, relieved that I wasn't going to accidentally falsify a federal financial aid form. I agree, when you don't keep a handle on time management, it bites you in the butt...

I also have to send my old school a friendly reminder that yes, I know Irish schools don't generally prepare transcripts, but I really really need it so please get it in. And even if I get in I don't know if I can afford the school. *sigh*

Screw time. I need luck. Lots and lots of luck.

Wow. I agree and completely identify with all of this.

Denmark

My fists are balled in fury right now! Free? Gah, I probably would have willing killed a few people to get to go to a free university instead of working/paying my way through my entire college.