AVERAGE student accepted to 3 IVY Leagues?! (inSANE college acceptance stories) | Ft. LimmyTalks

wAmy
16 Dec 202324:55
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn a revealing discussion on college admissions, Amy and Limy from Limy Talk dive into the intense world of competitive college applications. They share stories of students with extraordinary profiles, dissecting the unpredictable nature of admissions to top universities. From a student with a stellar GPA and impressive extracurriculars facing unexpected rejections to an international applicant with remarkable achievements but limited acceptances, the conversation highlights the stress and unpredictability that high schoolers face. The duo also explores essays and the impact of personal stories on applications, offering insights into what makes an application stand out, while emphasizing the sheer unpredictability of college admissions.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The video features Amy and Limy discussing the unpredictability of college admissions, highlighting several student profiles with their extracurricular activities, GPA, SAT scores, and the colleges they got accepted or rejected from.
  • 🎓 They emphasize the high expectations and competitive nature of college admissions, showcasing students with exceptional profiles who still faced rejections from top universities.
  • 🧑‍🎓 One highlighted profile is of a South Asian female, first-generation student with a 4.45 GPA, involved in significant extracurriculars, yet faced rejections from all IVs she applied to.
  • 😮 Another profile discussed is an international student from India with a 92 GPA and a 1530 SAT score, who won an Intel AI Global impact award but was rejected from most U.S. universities applied to.
  • 👨‍🎓 Limy and Amy point out that extracurriculars can greatly vary in impact; from founding nonprofits to research publications, but the 'believability' and authenticity of an applicant's contributions are crucial.
  • 📌 They touch upon the issue of access to resources and opportunities, particularly for international or financially constrained students, and the challenges they face in building impressive profiles.
  • 📝 The discussion includes examples of personal essays from applicants, analyzing how themes of identity, resilience, and personal growth are common but need to be uniquely expressed.
  • 💸 Limy suggests that college admissions officers can detect when an application is exaggerated or untruthful, which can lead to rejections despite a seemingly perfect profile.
  • 🖥 They mention how even students from highly competitive high schools with excellent grades and test scores can face unpredictability in college admissions.
  • 🙁 The video ends on a note that emphasizes the subjective and often unpredictable nature of college admissions, encouraging viewers to understand that rejections do not define their worth or future success.
Q & A

  • What is the format of the videos created by Limy Talk as described in the transcript?

    -Limy Talk creates videos featuring successful college applications. In these videos, a student's profile is presented and then the schools they got into are guessed followed by revealing the actual results.

  • What was the GPA and SAT score of the South Asian female student mentioned in the transcript?

    -The South Asian female student had a 4.45 GPA and a 1390 SAT score.

  • What are some of the extracurricular activities and achievements of the South Asian female student with a 4.45 GPA?

    -She was a Bethesda magazine's Extraordinary Teen, received the St Michael's College book award for academics, earned a bronze medal for placement on the Grand Concourse national French exam, and co-founded and served as the executive adviser at the Global Compromise Collective. Additionally, she was the co-CEO of the Foreign Policy Youth Collaborative, a state chapter director of Voters of Tomorrow, and interned for a congressman.

  • What was the reaction of the speakers to the profiles of the students they discussed?

    -The speakers were impressed and somewhat overwhelmed by the achievements of the students. They expressed disbelief at the level of accomplishments, especially considering the students' young age, and felt that the college admissions process can be unpredictable.

  • What was the outcome for the South Asian female student in terms of college admissions?

    -She was accepted to UMass, UMD, and American University but was rejected by UNC, Princeton, Brown, Columbia, and all four Ivy League schools (Penn, Harvard, Yale, and Columbia) she applied to.

  • What advice did the former head of admissions give regarding college applications?

    -The former head of admissions advised that it's important for the application to be believable. If there's any suspicion that the information provided is false or exaggerated, the application may be discarded. It's better to be humble and authentic rather than seeming too impressive.

  • What was the context behind the essay written by the student who compared her identity struggle to her brother's change in beverage preference?

    -The student wrote about her fear of losing her cultural identity as she grew up. She used the metaphor of her brother switching from chai (a traditional Indian tea) to coffee to represent her fear of assimilating too much into American culture and losing touch with her Indian roots.

  • What was the outcome for the Indian male student majoring in computer science?

    -The student was accepted to several prestigious institutions including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale, but also faced rejections from institutions like Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, and Duke.

  • What was the significance of the student's experience with the Intel AI Global Impact award-winning project?

    -The student's Intel AI Global Impact award-winning project involved building an algorithm for refugee relocation. This project demonstrated his technical skills, innovation, and social consciousness, which are significant achievements that could strengthen his college application.

  • What was the general sentiment expressed by the speakers about the college admissions process?

    -The speakers expressed that the college admissions process can be unpredictable and that even highly accomplished students can face rejections. They emphasized the importance of not being too impressed by one's own achievements and to remain humble.

  • What was the result of the student from Thomas Jefferson High School's college applications?

    -The student from Thomas Jefferson High School was accepted to several universities including UVA, UMD, NYU, Northwestern, Cornell, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCSD, Santa Barbara, and George Mason. However, he was rejected by Virginia Tech, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, and Georgia Tech.

Outlines
00:00
🎥 Introducing the College Application Series

Amy and Limy, from 'Limy Talk', kick off a video discussing the college application process, highlighting the stress and uncertainty students face. They introduce a unique format where they review a student's application profile, guessing which schools the student got into before revealing the actual results. The profile discussed belongs to a senior at Duke, who has made videos on successful college applications, emphasizing the relatability and tension surrounding college admissions. They touch upon the myth that only those with extraordinary achievements, like owning a multi-million business by 17, can get into top schools like Harvard or Stanford, aiming to debunk it by showcasing real student profiles.

05:01
📚 A Deep Dive into a Student's Impressive Profile

The discussion moves to a detailed examination of a high-achieving student's profile. The student boasts a high GPA, significant extracurricular achievements, and strong personal projects, yet faces the harsh reality of college admissions by getting rejected from all the Ivies she applied to. Amy and Limy speculate on reasons behind the rejections, pondering if admissions officers might question the authenticity of overly impressive applications. They also discuss the importance of conveying genuine personality and unique experiences in applications to stand out genuinely in the competitive admissions landscape.

10:03
🤔 Reflecting on Personal Experiences and Admissions Insights

The narrative shifts to a more personal tone as Amy and Limy reflect on their own college application experiences, comparing them to the profiles they are discussing. They ponder the unpredictable nature of college admissions, emphasizing that even exceptional profiles can face unexpected outcomes. The conversation includes insights on how admissions officers discern authenticity in applications and the potential red flags of overly polished profiles. They also discuss the importance of students showcasing their genuine selves and unique perspectives in their applications.

15:03
🏆 Analyzing Another High-Achiever's Struggle with College Admissions

A new student profile is introduced, featuring an international applicant with a robust academic and extracurricular background. Despite his impressive accomplishments, including awards and significant contributions to his field, the student faces a series of rejections from top U.S. universities. Amy and Limy discuss the challenges international students, especially those in STEM fields, face in the admissions process. They emphasize the competitive nature of college admissions and the harsh reality that even outstanding students can struggle to secure spots at elite institutions.

20:04
📉 Navigating the Complexities of College Admissions

The video concludes with a discussion on the unpredictability of the college admissions process, as evidenced by a series of profiles with varying degrees of success. Amy and Limy underscore the fact that high grades and test scores, impressive extracurriculars, and personal achievements do not guarantee admission to top colleges. They advocate for a realistic approach to college applications, acknowledging the element of chance involved and the importance of applying to a range of schools. The segment closes on a note of encouragement for students to maintain hope and continue striving for their goals despite the competitive landscape.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡College Admissions
College admissions refer to the process through which students apply and are selected for entry into higher education institutions. The video script frequently discusses the unpredictability and competitiveness of college admissions, especially for top-tier universities such as Ivy League schools. It highlights the stress and anxiety students face when trying to meet the high standards and unique expectations set by these institutions, as illustrated through various student profiles showcasing their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.
💡Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are pursuits outside of the standard academic curriculum that students engage in, ranging from sports and music to volunteer work and leadership roles in clubs. The script emphasizes the importance of extracurricular activities in the college admissions process, showcasing students with extensive involvement and achievements in various fields. This illustrates how admissions committees look for well-rounded candidates with diverse interests and skills.
💡SAT/ACT Scores
SAT and ACT scores are standardized test results that colleges use as part of their admissions criteria. The script mentions students' scores on these tests, emphasizing the high scores achieved by applicants to top colleges. These scores are used as examples of the academic excellence required for admission to prestigious institutions, reflecting the competitive nature of the process.
💡Personal Essay
The personal essay is a crucial component of the college application, allowing students to showcase their personality, experiences, and values to admissions committees. The script discusses the essays of several applicants, analyzing their content, themes, and effectiveness in conveying the students' unique identities and aspirations. It highlights the strategic use of personal narratives to stand out in a pool of highly qualified candidates.
💡International Affairs
Mentioned in the context of a student's intended major, International Affairs is an academic discipline focusing on the study of foreign relations and global issues. This choice of major reflects the student's interest in politics, governance, and social impact, aligning with her extensive involvement in related extracurricular activities. It illustrates how students' academic interests often complement their out-of-school pursuits and ambitions.
💡First-Generation College Student
A first-generation college student is someone whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. The script highlights a profile of a South Asian female, a first-generation student, underscoring the challenges and achievements unique to this demographic. It reflects on the narrative of overcoming obstacles and achieving despite the odds, which is compelling within the context of college admissions.
💡Desi Chai
Desi chai, mentioned in a student's personal essay, symbolizes cultural identity and personal history. It's used metaphorically to discuss themes of family, tradition, and the internal conflict between embracing one's cultural heritage and adapting to a new environment. This illustrates how personal essays can use specific cultural references to convey deeper messages about identity and belonging.
💡Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is highlighted through the profiles of students who founded or led organizations, reflecting initiative, leadership, and the ability to impact change. The script discusses students' ventures in creating non-profits and tech startups, showcasing their business acumen and dedication to societal issues. This demonstrates how entrepreneurial activities are valued in the admissions process as evidence of practical skills and a commitment to making a difference.
💡Anti-Racism
Anti-racism efforts are mentioned as part of a student's extracurricular achievements, illustrating her commitment to social justice and equity. This inclusion in the college application process signifies the increasing importance of activism and advocacy in evaluating a candidate's values and contributions to their community. It shows how colleges appreciate students who are not only academically talented but also socially conscious.
💡Rejection and Acceptance
The script frequently references the outcomes of students' college applications, detailing acceptances and rejections from various institutions. These narratives highlight the unpredictable nature of the admissions process, where even highly qualified applicants can face rejections from their top choices. It underscores the reality that admissions decisions can depend on numerous factors beyond a student's control, including institutional priorities and the competitive applicant pool.
Highlights

Amy and Limy discuss the shocking college admissions results and the unpredictability of getting into Ivy League schools.

Profile review of a student with a 4.45 GPA, extensive extracurriculars, yet faced surprising Ivy League rejections.

Discussion about the pressure and competition in college admissions, especially for top-tier schools like Harvard and Stanford.

Insights on how admissions officers can detect exaggeration or dishonesty in applications.

Highlighting the diversity of extracurricular activities that high-achieving students engage in.

Exploration of how personal and cultural identity can be a significant component of college essays.

The paradox of being 'too impressive' might lead to rejections from top universities.

Examining the challenges international students face in the college admissions process.

Discussion on the importance of authenticity in personal essays for college applications.

Consideration of how students from less privileged backgrounds navigate the admissions landscape.

The story of a student leveraging her cultural heritage through an essay on homemade Desi chai.

Analyzing the impact of high school environment on college admissions success.

The effect of having strong but not over-the-top extracurriculars on Ivy League admissions.

The significant role of clear, cohesive essays in conveying an applicant's genuine self.

Amy and Limy reflect on their own high school experiences and college application strategies.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

4.42 GPA, 1590 SAT Denied from 16 Colleges?!

The Problem With Applying to College

High schoolers will regret not clicking on this video

Ivy League Grad Reacts to “warning high school students in the college admissions game”

How many AP classes should I take?

How Asian Americans Became The Center Of The Affirmative Action Debate

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
CollegeAdmissionsStudentProfilesUnpredictabilityHighSchoolStrugglesSuccessStoriesRejectionExperiencesAchievementHighlightEducationalInsightsMotivationalDiscussionFutureAspirations