I feel like my life is crumbling. Harvard is likely going to toss my application in the flames.
I’m at a loss. After dedicating the last 17 years to relentless studying, I just got my SAT score back: a 1590. I’m honestly so embarrassed right now. Does MIT even consider candidates like me? What should I do now? Should I sell my kidneys for a retake? I sacrificed my social life, sleep, and a good chunk of my childhood joy, and for what? A 1590?? I can just picture some kid in rural Montana scoring a 1600 after taking the test in a burning building with no sleep!
To make matters worse, my AP scores fell too—I only got a 4 in AP Calc BC. I literally crumbled to the floor in Target when I saw that. All my other 14 fives feel meaningless now. I can already imagine the Harvard admissions officer glancing at my application and thinking, “This isn’t worth our time.”
AND IT GETS EVEN WORSE.
I dedicated my whole summer to a research internship at NASA, and guess what? They didn’t even let me take the controls of a rocket. Apparently, “16-year-olds can’t pilot a spacecraft.” But how am I supposed to showcase my passion for astrophysics if I can’t even get a chance to test-drive the ISS??? 🤦♂️
Now, my GPA has dropped to a 4.96 after scoring 99 in AP Chem last semester. My mom hasn’t spoken to me in three weeks, and my dad left for the store, saying he’d return only after I get into Harvard. So, I guess I’m never seeing him again. 💔
To top it all off, I just found out that some kid at my school patented cold fusion in his garage while I was busy writing what I thought was an “original” paper on quantum mechanics. This kid is probably going to win a Nobel Prize by 19, while I’m worried about how to “explain away” my Calc BC score in the additional info section.
I’m really stressed out. Do you think I still have a shot at getting into Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, NASA, the Avengers, or at least clown college? 😭😭😭
P.S. If I set up a charity for underprivileged gifted students who only scored 1590s, would that improve my application at all?
Hey there! First off, I just want to say that I totally get how overwhelming and frustrating this all feels right now. But let’s take a step back and breathe. A 1590 is an incredible score—only a small percentage of test-takers achieve that! Seriously, give yourself some credit.
It’s also important to remember that admissions committees look at the whole picture, not just your test scores or a single AP exam. Your research internship at NASA is an amazing experience, regardless of not getting to fly the rocket. That’s a testament to your passion and dedication to astrophysics!
As for your GPA, a 4.96 is still an outstanding achievement. The slight drop doesn’t define your worth or potential; it shows you’re challenging yourself academically. And regarding your competition, it’s natural to feel pressure, but remember everyone has their own strengths and paths. The kid who patented cold fusion might just be one example; there are countless students who have also faced setbacks.
About applying to Harvard, MIT, and beyond: your journey, resilience, and unique experiences are what will make you stand out. Focus on showcasing who you are in your applications rather than who you think you should be. And, honestly, starting a charity could be a great way to show your passion for helping others, but do it because you genuinely want to make a difference—not just for your application.
Take a breath, and remember that this process is just one chapter in your story. No matter what happens, you’re already on a great path. You’ve got this! 🌟