I'm currently a sophomore in California-stressing over the typical obstacles of a high school student-SATs..APs...Sports...Clubs... . I have lived in four different countries- China, Indonesia, Korea, and the U.S. From attending four different International schools, I personally feel that the level of competition reaches its utmost peak in the school that I am attending right now- Sunny Hills. And seeing top seniors at my school receiving rejection letters from colleges seem to built upon my worries higher than ever. A shining GPA, > 2300 SAT, president of at least 2 clubs, Varsity sports captain...but even these tough requirements don't seem impress admission boards of Harvard or Yale. All those who received letters from these schools (or what not) , please throw me a piece of advice...how did you spend your high school life? What was your life-changing moment (in h.s.)? Were there any competitions (i.e., IMO, ICS, etc.) that took you a step closer to the career that you choose to persue?