YC at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UPenn • Hacker News Board

Re: YC at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UPenn

#91

Post by sanderjd » Fri, Feb 10, 2017, 3:40 AM UTC

dave_sullivan wrote: post #82

atonse wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why does this have to be taken to an extreme? People are (rightfully) pointing out that if you go to a the same 10 schools, you will by definition lack a diversity of thoughts and perspectives. Anyway this has already been argued above. They did announce it last time.

> if you go to a the same 10 schools, you will by definition lack a diversity of thoughts and perspectives I agree. I'm pointing out that YC can't be everything to everyone (that would be extreme) and elite colleges are kind of their thing (for worse, I think). It just strikes me as a whiny thing to complain about.

I really hate it when I see constructive criticism labeled "whining". The commenter was giving useful feedback, not complaining.

Re: YC at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UPenn

#92

Post by xapata » Fri, Feb 10, 2017, 5:46 AM UTC

morgante wrote: post #73

xapata wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> need-blind Only goes so far. They don't offer aid to students wishing to take SAT prep courses. Admissions criteria include vague things like oddball extracurriculars. It's an interesting coincidence that wealthy people tend to engage in the same activities that top schools consider signals of a "well-rounded" applicant.

Oh please. You can do plenty of SAT prep at the library. My parents certainly couldn't afford an SAT prep course for me. The effect of such courses is vastly overblown—they mostly just sit you down with the same books you can get for free at the library (or for $20 on Amazon). There are plenty of "oddball" extracurriculars that rural poor students can engage in. My admissions essay was literally about hiking with an…

Your personal experience is contradicted by some systematic studies. Unfortunately I don't have the citations nearby, but I'm sure if you search Google Scholar you'll find that you are an unusual person.

Re: YC at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UPenn

#93

Post by xapata » Fri, Feb 10, 2017, 2:51 PM UTC

xapata wrote: post #92

morgante wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh please. You can do plenty of SAT prep at the library. My parents certainly couldn't afford an SAT prep course for me. The effect of such courses is vastly overblown—they mostly just sit you down with the same books you can get for free at the library (or for $20 on Amazon). There are plenty of "oddball" extracurriculars that rural poor students can engage in. My admissions essay was literally about hiking with an…

Your personal experience is contradicted by some systematic studies. Unfortunately I don't have the citations nearby, but I'm sure if you search Google Scholar you'll find that you are an unusual person.

I should add that while it's true a child can visit the library to study for the SAT, it seems that's not very common.

I looked up some articles about SAT prep, reports say preparing for the test increases scores about 25 points on average. I'm not sure whether that was from the 2400 or 1600 test.

Re: YC at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UPenn

#94

Post by John23832 » Fri, Feb 10, 2017, 3:04 PM UTC

dave_sullivan wrote: post #82

atonse wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why does this have to be taken to an extreme? People are (rightfully) pointing out that if you go to a the same 10 schools, you will by definition lack a diversity of thoughts and perspectives. Anyway this has already been argued above. They did announce it last time.

> if you go to a the same 10 schools, you will by definition lack a diversity of thoughts and perspectives I agree. I'm pointing out that YC can't be everything to everyone (that would be extreme) and elite colleges are kind of their thing (for worse, I think). It just strikes me as a whiny thing to complain about.

Why is it whining? The echo chamber of CS/Silicon Valley types is a real thing and if our objective is to move forward and become more influential/helpful to the public at large, existing within an echo chamber hurts us.

Re: YC at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UPenn

#95

Post by John23832 » Fri, Feb 10, 2017, 3:08 PM UTC

SamReidHughes wrote: post #81

John23832 wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not about paying to pad the application. There are legit methods of expanding your kid's world/mind. Those method generally cost more money than sitting in the house all summer watching tv.

Child enrichment isn't limited to the wealthy. Kids join sports teams, boy scouts, church groups, etc, at all levels of society.

And when everyone does those exact same things, nobody stands out (unless you lack those activities, in which case you are hurt). Look at what a high school degree has become... or what a bachelors is becoming. Truly standing out takes money and/or rare opportunity.

Re: YC at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UPenn

#96

Post by akhilcacharya » Fri, Feb 10, 2017, 5:13 PM UTC

morgante wrote: post #30

John23832 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Being set up for success is different than being inherently intelligent. Who YC chooses to give separate attention does deserve scrutiny.

> Being set up for success is different than being inherently intelligent. Sure, but you're arguing against a straw man. It's simply objectively true that students at elite are on average much smarter than students at other schools, and more ambitious. They're much more likely to have a viable YC application. In fact, students who get into elite schools but don't attend them still far out-perform students who never g…

>In fact, students who get into elite schools but don't attend them still far out-perform students who never got into one.

I didn't get into any elite schools - are you saying I should stop trying?

Re: YC at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UPenn

#97

Post by SamReidHughes » Fri, Feb 10, 2017, 7:37 PM UTC

John23832 wrote: post #95

SamReidHughes wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Child enrichment isn't limited to the wealthy. Kids join sports teams, boy scouts, church groups, etc, at all levels of society.

And when everyone does those exact same things, nobody stands out (unless you lack those activities, in which case you are hurt). Look at what a high school degree has become... or what a bachelors is becoming. Truly standing out takes money and/or rare opportunity.

That's just not a reality-derived statement. All it takes is time.

Re: YC at Columbia, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UPenn

#98

Post by sn9 » Sat, Feb 11, 2017, 12:59 AM UTC

xapata wrote: post #92

morgante wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh please. You can do plenty of SAT prep at the library. My parents certainly couldn't afford an SAT prep course for me. The effect of such courses is vastly overblown—they mostly just sit you down with the same books you can get for free at the library (or for $20 on Amazon). There are plenty of "oddball" extracurriculars that rural poor students can engage in. My admissions essay was literally about hiking with an…

Your personal experience is contradicted by some systematic studies. Unfortunately I don't have the citations nearby, but I'm sure if you search Google Scholar you'll find that you are an unusual person.

I think you're overestimating the extent that SAT prep courses play in college admissions compared to, say, personal tutors or involved parents who have knowledge about the particular rituals needed to get into good schools.