[thelastnode]

This is the problem that I had when I was applying to colleges: I used to ignore classes that bored me but were required and instead spent time that should have been spent on homework, etc. doing programming side projects and learning CS concepts.

When application season rolled around, I had to compete with candidates who had a much shallow understanding of their area of study, but had a much stronger overall GPA, loads of random APs, etc. While I did mention my side projects and depth in my area of interest, I didn't think to submit code or the actual projects; I usually just mentioned it in the questions or essays (which I'm not certain anyone even reads). This lead to quite a few rejections.

I'm at Georgia Tech now and doing well, because all my classes, more or less, are related to what I'm interested in. While I'm very happy here, I'm curious if I would be as happy if I wasn't accepted to Tech, and were instead studying in a place without such abundance of opportunity. I'm sure there are others in similar situations.

[sunkencity]

Well, the long school years is a way to structurally hide mass unemployment now that we don't have child labour. If youngsters could provide meaningful work and pick up their skills on the way, things would look radically different. Especially in the turtle-pace that tuition normally take. Sure, learning takes time to settle, but why not do something meaningful while the learning settles?

[mturmon]

If you have talent, and work hard to cultivate it, then you can take advantage of the opportunities that are around you. Doesn't matter if you're at GA Tech or MIT, there are always more good opportunities than good people.

[thelastnode]

I definitely agree; it's just a matter of finding the right people.

Anecdote: attending some of the tech talks that companies give at Tech, there is always a gradient of people, from the people that are there for free food to the people that are there to ask questions and get something out of it. These tech talks are thinly veiled recruiting events, and the latter set of people are always approached afterwards for interviews or networking purposes.

[hn_is_dumb]

Sure you're awesome, and everybody else sucks.

Georgia Tech admits 61% of all applicants .... just saying.

[thelastnode]

No idea where this came from (or if it's a good idea to feed the trolls; "hn_is_dumb" - really?), but Tech does have the policy to accept most and then fail out those who don't belong there. Only 29% of incoming freshman graduate in 4 years.

I'm glad Tech has this policy because there are lots of bright people here that did the same thing I did in high school and they do well here for similar reasons.