[Nan3cy]

As to the whole issue of feeling like it was some kind of mistake that I got into Stanford, I still feel pretty certain that the explanation is strongly rooted in the fact that I grew up in Iowa.  That, combined with a modest talent at test taking, gave me access to the life-changing opportunity I was given to attend.

To my knowledge I was the only person in the history of Sioux City Central High School to attend Stanford up to that point.  I would have held that distinction for eternity, but a young friend of mine was accepted two years later, just as the high school was being closed.

I have no figures for applications from Iowa in that time frame, but I'm pretty sure it was a pretty low number.  I was frequently asked where I would be attending college, and when I replied,"Stanford", half the time the inquirer would react by saying something like,"Oh that is wonderful!  But are you sure you'll be OK being way out in Connecticut?".

Now don't start dissing Iowans.  They are generally well-educated, well-traveled people.  This revealed a bit of a blind spot, that I find amusing.

My experience growing up in Wisconsin is that geography just isn't Midwesterners' strong suit. When an American Field Service student from New Zealand lived with us in Madison my senior year in high school, she got pretty frustrated with the people who said, "Oh, New Zealand - isn't that that little island right off the cost of Australia?" (The ones who confused it with New Guinea, she just thought was funny.) She was not so amused with the people who complimented her English, and asked if she learned in school, or the woman - the wife of the vice-principal!! - who asked if New Zealanders celebrate Christmas in December or in June...

[Nan3cy]

As to the whole issue of feeling like it was some kind of mistake that I got into Stanford, I still feel pretty certain that the explanation is strongly rooted in the fact that I grew up in Iowa.  That, combined with a modest talent at test taking, gave me access to the life-changing opportunity I was given to attend.

To my knowledge I was the only person in the history of Sioux City Central High School to attend Stanford up to that point.  I would have held that distinction for eternity, but a young friend of mine was accepted two years later, just as the high school was being closed.

I have no figures for applications from Iowa in that time frame, but I'm pretty sure it was a pretty low number.  I was frequently asked where I would be attending college, and when I replied,"Stanford", half the time the inquirer would react by saying something like,"Oh that is wonderful!  But are you sure you'll be OK being way out in Connecticut?".

Now don't start dissing Iowans.  They are generally well-educated, well-traveled people.  This revealed a bit of a blind spot, that I find amusing.

My experience growing up in Wisconsin is that geography just isn't Midwesterners' strong suit. When an American Field Service student from New Zealand lived with us in Madison my senior year in high school, she got pretty frustrated with the people who said, "Oh, New Zealand - isn't that that little island right off the cost of Australia?" (The ones who confused it with New Guinea, she just thought was funny.) She was not so amused with the people who complimented her English, and asked if she learned in school, or the woman - the wife of the vice-principal!! - who asked if New Zealanders celebrate Christmas in December or in June...